As questions surrounding Coco Berthmann’s trafficking claims intensify, new evidence, witness accounts, and immigration-related concerns raise additional questions about her narrative

For years, Coco Berthmann’s claims of childhood sex trafficking were accepted and amplified by media outlets, advocacy organizations, public figures, and institutions. Among those giving Berthmann a platform was Brigham Young University, which hosted and published a TEDx presentation in which she recounted her story of alleged exploitation.

As questions surrounding Berthmann’s claims continued to grow, critics began asking whether the allegations had ever been independently verified and whether organizations that promoted her narrative had exercised appropriate diligence before presenting it to the public.

In this video report, veteran investigative journalist Lynn Packer examines BYU’s continued association with Berthmann, the university’s response to mounting concerns, and the broader questions of accountability that arise when institutions lend credibility to extraordinary claims without adequate scrutiny.

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Editor’s Note: Lynn Packer is an award-winning investigative journalist, legal consultant, and author of “Lying for the Lord: The Paul H. Dunn Stories.” A graduate of Utah State University with a degree in broadcast journalism, Packer served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1970, where he worked as a television news anchor and producer for the Armed Forces Vietnam Network (AFVN) in Quang Tri. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his service.

Following his military service, Packer spent 15 years as an investigative reporter for KSL Television News in Salt Lake City and later taught journalism as an adjunct professor at Brigham Young University and the University of Dortmund. Throughout his career, he has earned a reputation for rigorous reporting, meticulous documentation, and a commitment to pursuing facts wherever they lead.

American Crime Journal extends its gratitude to Mr. Packer for his military service, his decades-long contributions to investigative journalism, and his unwavering dedication to truth, accountability, and the public interest.

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Resources & Further Reading

Individuals Under Scrutiny – American Crime Journal |

Exposed: The Coco Berthmann Child Sex Slave Hoax – American Crime Journal |

UPDATE: Coco Berthmann Arrested, Accused of Fraud – American Crime Journal |

Coco Berthmann Asking for Donations, Claims Cancer Diagnosis – American Crime Journal |

Anatomy of a Cancer Scam – American Crime Journal |

Coco Berthmann Charging Documents Reveal Details of Utah Fraud Case – American Crime Journal |

Coco Berthmann Charged – American Crime Journal |

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