Man gets 18-year prison term for sexually abusing 4-year-old relative

    (Stillwater, Okla.) — A 31-year-old man avoided a jury trial this week by pleading guilty to sexually abusing a 4-year-old relative in a tent in rural Payne County between Oct. 1, 2023, and Jan. 24, 2024.

    Corey Lee Hayes, who was listed as homeless, was sentenced last week by Associate District Judge Michael Kulling to 18 years in prison followed by seven years of probation during which he must register as a sex offender, court records show.

    Payne County Sheriff’s Investigator Tomm Edwards observed a forensic interview of the child on Jan. 25, 2024, according to an affidavit filed with the charge a year ago against Hayes, who has been in custody since Jan. 26, 2024.

    The victim told a forensic interviewer that Hayes said not to tell anyone, the affidavit said.

    The victim said that Hayes took pictures of the sexual abuse, the affidavit said.

    Hayes was listed on the affidavit as six feet tall and weighing 309 pounds.