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Founder Of Austin-Based 3D-Printed Gun Company Resigns Following Arrest On Sex Assault Charges

Cody Wilson, the founder of Defense Distributed, has resigned after being charged with sexually assaulting a minor.
Jorge Sanhueza-Lyon
/
KUT
Cody Wilson, the founder of Defense Distributed, has resigned after being charged with sexually assaulting a minor.

The founder of an Austin-based company that makes 3D-printed guns has resigned following his arrest on charges of sexually assaulting a minor.

Authorities say Cody Wilson met a 16-year-old girl on SugarDaddyMeet.com and paid $500 to have sex with her in Austin. He was arrested in Taiwan last week and returned to Texas. 

Defense Distributed's new director, Paloma Heindorff, said the company has "remained resilient" amid Wilson's legal troubles.

"He has been an incredibly powerful figurehead, but I think what's important to concentrate on here is that this is about an idea," she said at a news conference Tuesday. "Everyone who works for our company – and there's a lot of people here who work for our company – we believe in something, and that something isn't one man."

Heindorff directed any questions about Wilson to his legal team.

Wilson was released Sunday from the Harris County Jail in Houston after posting a $150,000 bond. If convicted, he faces 20 years in prison.

Heindorff said the company would continue to sell blueprints for 3D-printed guns.

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DaLyah Jones is an assistant producer for All Things Considered and evening host. She is also co-host of the Two & Fro podcast. Originally from East Texas, this country girl found her way to “The City” after graduating from Texas State University with a degree in electronic media and a minor in communication studies. DaLyah interned for KUT, Texas Standard and was a part of NPR’s Next Generation initiative in 2015. When she’s not at the station, she’s stan-ing for Beyoncé.
Stephanie Federico is a human person.