Michigan - Freelance photographer faces child porn charges
From the LivingstonDaily.com. By Aileen Wingblad. Gannett News Service.
A Milford, Michigan man known for his work as a freelance photographer of local youth athletes and community events could be facing years in prison after he allegedly set up a video camera in his home to watch young female visitors undress.
Police said a subsequent search of his home turned up a large collection of child pornography, leading to additional charges.
Michael Sharpe, 59, was arraigned last Thursday in Oakland County’s 52-1 District Court before Magistrate Michael Batchik on eight counts of possession of child sexually abusive material and two counts of felony eavesdropping. Each of the child pornography charges is punishable by up to four years in prison. The eavesdropping charges carry penalties up to two years in prison. He’s free after posting 10 percent of a $20,000 bond.
According to Milford police investigators, Sharpe had placed a video camera on a cabinet in a bedroom used by two sisters, ages 12 and 14, to change outfits several times for a photo shoot by Sharpe. The photo shoot was conducted in another room at his home in late May.
The girls and their mother became acquainted with Sharpe several years ago during an athletic event they were participating in and Sharpe was photographing, police said. He has reportedly photographed them many times in the past, and recently invited the girls to come over and pose so he could try out some new equipment. The girls’ mother reportedly accompanied them into the bedroom each time they changed outfits.
Milford Police Lt. Tom Callahan said the girls and their mother noticed the video camera right away, but didn’t realize it was running until they had changed clothes multiple times. At that point, the girls’ mother took the tape from the camera, left the home and contacted police.
After police viewed the tape, they called Sharpe to the police station for an interview. They then received Sharpe’s permission to search his home, where the child pornography was discovered, officials said. His computer was confiscated and turned over to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office computer crime lab for investigation. There’s no word yet on whether or not child pornography has been found on the computer.
Callahan said so far there’s no indication that Sharpe molested the girls or that he has secretly videotaped other youngsters in his home. However, an investigation continues.
Sharpe has no prior criminal history. Sharpe, who works full-time for a computer company, frequently photographed events as an independent contractor for the Milford Times.
Retrieved June 16, 2007 from http://www.dailypressandargus.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070605/NEWS01/70605006/1002