CHEYENNE, Wyo. — A Cheyenne man has been sentenced to prison following a child sexual exploitation and abuse investigation conducted by the Cheyenne Police Department.

According to police, James Emerson, 60, was found guilty in Laramie County District Court of sexual exploitation of a child and sexual abuse of a minor in the fourth degree. Emerson was sentenced to 8 to 10 years in prison. The sentence will be served consecutively to a separate 15- to 25-year parole revocation.

Police said the case was investigated by the Cheyenne Police Department Detective Bureau and stemmed from a report made in November 2024. A school resource officer was notified that a minor had been sexually abused, prompting an investigation involving detectives.

Authorities determined Emerson abused and exploited a minor on multiple occasions during 2024. He was arrested and booked into the Laramie County Jail on Nov. 6, 2024.

Police said Emerson had previously been incarcerated in Natrona County in 2014 for aggravated assault and battery with bodily injury.

The Cheyenne Police Department credited coordination between school officials and investigators for bringing the case forward.