Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) State Crime News
DETROIT – An Ingham County man was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for sexually exploiting children and transporting child pornography, announced United States Attorney Dawn N. Ison.
Ison was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Cheyvorea Gibson, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division.
John Michael Garron, 40, of Stockbridge, Michigan, was sentenced by United States District Judge David M. Lawson. Garron’s conviction stems from his years-long sexual exploitation of a minor girl under his care, who was under 12 years old at the time. Garron took sexually explicit images and videos of the girl and recorded himself masturbating over her while she slept.
Garron’s crimes became known in 2023, when he bragged about his abuse of the minor child and distributed images of child pornography to other users online. Unknown to Garron, one of the online users he was communicating with was an undercover FBI agent. The FBI began investigating Garron, tracing him to his residence near Lansing. After a obtaining a search warrant, agents entered Garron’s residence and collected his devices. On the devices, agents located the images Garron had produced of himself assaulting the minor victim in his care, as well as over 28,000 images of child pornography that Garron had downloaded and shared with other users online.
“Garron sexually assaulted and exploited a vulnerable prepubescent girl under his care. Our office remains committed to using whatever resources necessary to bring those who prey on our children to justice,” U.S. Attorney Ison stated.
“This sentencing reflects our unwavering commitment to protect the most vulnerable in our community. The years of exploitation endured by this young girl are utterly reprehensible,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “Today’s verdict sends a clear message that our community will not tolerate such heinous acts, and we will relentlessly pursue justice for the victims.”
This case was investigated by the FBI and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher Rawsthorne and Diane Princ.