CHARLEVOIX — A partnership between the Charlevoix County Prosecutor’s Office, the Charlevoix County Sheriff’s Office and the Michigan State Police’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force has led to a wave of arrests and prosecutions related to child sexually abusive material across the county.
In a press release issued June 23, Charlevoix County Prosecuting Attorney Kit Tholen detailed five recent cases that emerged from this collaboration and emphasized the positive impact the affiliation has had on the community’s ability to act quickly on digital crime tips.
Before Charlevoix County formally affiliated with the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force in 2024, tips about abusive material in the area were lumped in with broader investigations across Northern Michigan and often delayed. That’s no longer the case, Tholen said in an interview.
“Now we’re getting those tips directly,” he said. “They’re no longer sitting for six months to a year before being investigated. That’s why there’s been a surge in cases — because we’re able to act immediately.”
Five recent cases uncovered
The partnership, along with public tips and help from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), has led to five arrests in less than a year:
“Aggravated” charges are applied when certain factors are present, such as content involving bestiality, sadomasochism, prepubescent children or more than 100 images or video.
According to Tholen, four of the five recent cases involved such aggravating factors.
“These are not just passive collectors of images,” Tholen said. “In some of these cases, we uncovered conversations or evidence that suggested the defendants were interested in acting out the abuse.”
Faster investigations, stronger cases
The partnership with the ICAC Task Force not only helps speed up investigations but also strengthens the ability to prosecute these crimes effectively, Tholen said.
“If a tip sits in a backlog too long, it becomes harder to prove,” he said. “Acting quickly gives us a better chance at building a strong case — and it better protects the community.”
Tholen said that prior to the ICAC affiliation, the county had virtually no child sexually abusive material cases investigated during his first year and a half in office. Since the partnership began, his office has handled five such cases in rapid succession, with more likely on the horizon.
“They (the task force) have really advanced technology for getting into phones and computers and recovering deleted material,” Tholen said. “It’s an incredibly effective partnership.”
Prevention, education and awareness
Tholen also emphasized the importance of education and prevention, especially for parents. He and a Michigan State Police detective have offered to speak at all Charlevoix County school districts about internet safety and exploitation prevention. So far, Boyne City, Boyne Falls and Beaver Island schools have hosted the program.
“Parents need to know how to protect their kids online, because this threat is real and it’s local,” Tholen said.
He also cautioned parents to rethink how much unsupervised access children have to adults, even within families.
“There’s just no need for kids to be alone with adults who aren’t their parents — not uncles, not cousins. That’s where access often happens,” he said. “And access is key in these crimes.”
Tholen hopes increased public awareness will not only lead to more tips but also reduce the stigma around discussing these cases and acknowledging their presence in Northern Michigan communities.
“These cases are tough, and they demand time and care,” Tholen said. “But we’re committed to making sure the most vulnerable in our community are protected, and that those who prey on them are held accountable.”
Anyone with concerns or tips related to child sexually abusive material can contact the Charlevoix County Sheriff’s Office or the Michigan State Police.
— Contact reporter Annie Doyle at 231-675-0099 and adoyle@charlevoixcourier.com.
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: New partnership helps Charlevoix County crack down on online child exploitation
Reporting by Annie Doyle, The Petoskey News-Review / The Petoskey News-Review
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