James Parks

Sources

1. Cody man accused of sexually abusing minor, Powell Tribune, November 6, 2025.

• 1. Cody man accused of sexually abusing minor

  • 6 Nov 2025
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  • Powell Tribune

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  A Cody man is facing multiple felony charges that allege he sexually abused a teenager over the past year.

  James “Jimmy” Parks, 49, was arrested last month after the teen reported the alleged abuse to a counselor, charging documents say.

  Prosecutors have charged Parks with three felonies that could carry substantial prison time, including counts of first- and second-degree sexual abuse of a minor. He has been held in the Park County Detention Center since his Oct. 16 arrest, with bond currently set at a combined total of $200,000 cash.

  Parks and his attorneys have requested lower bond amounts, but Park County Circuit Court Judge Joey Darrah stuck with the recommendations made by prosecutors. At a Friday hearing, Deputy Park County Prosecuting Attorney Marina Tucker said her office “just has very, very serious concerns for the safety of the child and for the community at large.”

  Charging documents say the teen told the Park County Sheriff’s Office that Parks showed him pornography and sexually touched him. The child reportedly indicated that the incidents began in 2024 and continued through October.

  During a court hearing, Tucker summarized the allegations as being that Parks sexually abused the child “over numerous occasions that included masturbating him [and] performing oral sex on [him].”

  Charging documents also allege that, at Parks’ direction, the teen performed those same sexual acts on Parks.

  The teen reportedly mentioned some of the allegations in an Oct. 16 conversation with a counselor, who contacted law enforcement. Parks was arrested hours later, after the sheriff’s office conducted its own interview with the child.

  Parks owns an IT business in Cody and has been involved in local politics; that included an unsuccessful run to become chair of the Park County Republican Party in March.

  At his initial court appearance on Oct. 17, Parks noted his long-running ties to the community as he requested a bond he could post.

  “I’m a business owner here in Park County, and I’ve been in Park County since 2006. I’ve never had an issue like this, ever, [and] never been arrested before this,” Parks told the court.

  He also described himself as the sole provider for his family and said his detention would impact his wife and children.

  While Tucker asked for bail to be set at $100,000 on what was then a single felony count, Parks suggested a figure around $10,000.

  Judge Darrah sided with the prosecution, saying a high bond is “pretty standard in a case like this.”

  On Oct. 27, Parks and his defense attorneys sought to have his bond reduced to $25,000 cash or surety. They cited his lack of criminal history and community ties. Defense attorney Sam Krone also asked for a delay of a preliminary hearing in the case, saying they had information about the alleged victim that they wanted prosecutors to review.

  But Tucker countered that the court should instead increase Parks’ bond. She said the state gathered additional evidence after Parks’ arrest, including seizing his computer and cellphone.

  “The weight of the evidence here is substantial,” Tucker argued. “There are very compelling disclosures [by the alleged victim] in a forensic interview. There is now, additionally, biological and electronic evidence as well.”

  Court records show Darrah has issued six different search warrants in connection with the case. While those documents have not been made publicly available, the judge said some of them “support … potentially, some additional charges.”

  Darrah left bond at $100,000 at the Oct. 27 hearing, then upped the figure to $200,000 on Friday, after Tucker filed two more felony charges in connection with the allegations.

  On Monday, Parks waived his right to have a preliminary hearing on the three felony charges, which are spread across two related cases. That sent them both to Park County District Court, where Parks will be formally arraigned on the charges.