Rebecca C. Lutzko United States Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Ohio
A Lorain County resident, Michael Neville, 46, of Elyria, Ohio, has been charged by criminal complaint with receipt and distribution of visual depictions of real minors engaged in sexually explicit activity and possession of child sexual abuse materials (CSAM).
According to court documents, Neville allegedly communicated with an undercover agent who was posing as the father of a 9-year-old girl on a social media messaging application. The conversations reportedly focused on Neville’s sexual interest in children. Investigators say they found CSAM involving pre-pubescent children on Neville’s electronic device and that he had distributed material depicting the sadistic abuse of an infant.
If convicted, Neville could face up to 20 years in prison for each charge related to receipt and distribution of visual depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit activity and possession of child pornography.
The case is being investigated by the FBI Cleveland Division. Assistant United States Attorney Margaret A. Kane for the Northern District of Ohio is prosecuting the case.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about this matter to contact the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force at 216-698-3151.
"A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."
