Christopher “CJ” Precopia’s life took an unimaginable turn in September 2017 when he was falsely accused of a brutal assault on his ex-girlfriend. Facing a possible 99-year prison sentence, the young man’s hope for freedom rested on an unexpected source of evidence—a simple selfie taken by his mother.
The False Accusation
On the morning of September 22, 2017, CJ was just beginning a normal workday at a lumber yard in Georgetown, Texas, when his world was turned upside down. Police arrived at his workplace, arrested him, and informed him he was being charged with a violent crime he couldn’t comprehend.
Man holds prison bars. Credit: Shutterstock
“I was just spun around, handcuffs put on,” CJ later told ABC News. “I had no idea who accused me of this, I had no idea why everything was happening, and I was lost.”
The accusations came from Faith Cox, his ex-girlfriend from high school. The two had dated briefly during their school years, but their breakup had been far from friendly. Cox claimed that CJ had broken into her home on September 20, 2017, and violently attacked her, using a box cutter to cut her face and carve an “X” into her chest.
Despite no physical evidence linking CJ to the crime, he was arrested and charged with first-degree felony burglary, carrying a possible sentence of up to 99 years in prison.
The Struggle for Innocence
After spending time in jail, CJ was able to post a $150,000 bond, but his fight to clear his name was only just beginning. For nine months, he lived in fear of a wrongful conviction that would rob him of his freedom. As CJ struggled with the overwhelming uncertainty, his mother, Erin, refused to give up on proving her son’s innocence.
Then, a crucial piece of evidence came from an unexpected place—a selfie.
The Game-Changing Selfie
On the same day CJ was accused of the assault, Erin had taken a selfie at the Renaissance Austin Hotel, located about 70 miles away from Faith Cox’s home. The picture showed Erin, CJ, and a group of friends enjoying their time together. More importantly, the selfie had a timestamp and geolocation data that proved CJ was nowhere near the scene of the alleged crime when it took place.
The selfie was posted to Facebook at 7:02 p.m., just 18 minutes before the time the assault was said to have occurred. The digital footprint it created was undeniable—CJ could not have committed the crime while he was 70 miles away.
“This is awesome. By the grace of God, [Faith] said it happened on the day when I can totally, 100 percent, know where he was,” Erin said, recognizing the critical importance of the evidence.
Justice Served
After presenting the selfie to prosecutors, the charges against CJ were dismissed in December 2018, with the case dropped “in the interest of justice.” Faith Cox was later charged with filing a false report, bringing a sense of justice for CJ and his family.
“When I saw her mugshot, I broke down crying,” CJ told Fox News. “It was a wave of emotions that hit me… the pure joy of her finally being brought to justice.”
The Power of Digital Footprints
This case highlights the power of digital evidence, especially in an age where social media and smartphones can play a pivotal role in legal battles. Erin’s simple selfie, combined with its timestamp and geolocation, became the turning point that saved her son from a lifetime in prison.
CJ’s story is also a reminder of how easily lives can be destroyed by false accusations. As he reflected on the ordeal, CJ noted, “It’s a struggle to go about your daily life knowing that anything could happen, just from somebody saying anything, can just ruin your life in an instant.”
The case serves as a cautionary tale about the flaws in the justice system and the importance of safeguarding against wrongful accusations. It also sheds light on how social media and digital footprints can act as a lifeline for those wrongfully accused, proving that technology, when used correctly, can be a powerful tool for justice.
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Conclusion
CJ’s life was forever altered by a false accusation, but thanks to his mother’s quick thinking and a single selfie, justice was served. His case underscores the importance of technology in today’s legal world and reminds us all of the power of digital evidence. While the journey was long and painful, CJ’s story is a testament to the resilience of individuals and families fighting for truth in the face of overwhelming adversity.