GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN - U.S. Attorney Patrick Miles announced today that Timothy Vallier, 30, of Plainfield Township, signed a plea agreement in which he agreed to plead guilty to federal charges of attempting to produce and possessing child pornography. Vallier was a Rockford Public High School rowing coach.
Vallier faces a minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum of 50 years in federal prison. The exact term of imprisonment will be determined by the judge at a sentencing hearing on a date to be scheduled by the court. The offenses also carry a requirement for sex offender registration, a potential fine of up to $250,000 per count, financial compensation to the victims, and at least 5 years and up to a lifetime on intensive supervised release after incarceration, during which the court can impose a number of special conditions designed to protect children.
In the plea agreement, Vallier admits that between January 2012 and April 2016, he produced approximately 86 hidden camera videos of girls changing clothes at two high school facilities: the Rockford rowing team’s boathouse and the Rockford Freshman Center. The federal charges follow an investigation led by the Kent County Sheriff’s Department, the Michigan State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and Homeland Security Investigations. Vallier has been in custody since his arrest on related state charges on July 10, 2016, which were dismissed in light of federal prosecution. The plea hearing has not yet been scheduled and will be held at the federal courthouse in Grand Rapids. Homeland Security Investigations and the U.S. Attorney’s Office are continuing to identify and notify victims.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tessa K. Hessmiller as part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, county prosecutor’s offices, and federal, state, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children. Individuals with information or concerns about possible child exploitation should contact local law enforcement. For more information about Project Safe Childhood in West Michigan, including resources for children and parents, visit: http://www.justice.gov/usao/miw/programs/psc.html.
Homeland Security Investigations encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1- 800-THE-LOST. For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI’s Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page.
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Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
