MOBILE, Ala. — A federal judge ruled Wednesday that a Baldwin County man charged in a case involving the alleged sexual exploitation of a minor is competent to stand trial.
Daniel Coon appeared in court for a competency hearing, after which the judge found he can move forward in the case. The ruling addresses only his ability to understand the proceedings and take part in his defense. It does not determine whether he is guilty of any charge.
What comes next
The case was referred to Magistrate Judge Katherine P. Nelson, who scheduled a pretrial conference for 9 a.m. Nov. 10 in Courtroom 5B at the federal courthouse in Mobile.
The charges
A federal grand jury indicted Coon and his wife, Ashley Coon, on charges of sexual exploitation of a minor. Ashley Coon faces three counts, and Daniel Coon faces two. The charge carries a minimum sentence of 15 years in prison upon conviction.
An indictment is an accusation, not evidence of guilt. Both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in court. South AL News is not publishing details about the alleged conduct or the minor involved.
