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UP man sentenced for possession of child pornography

Online Niel November 21, 2024

An Upper Peninsula man convicted of possessing child pornography has been sentenced to more than 11 years in federal prison, officials said.

Brandon Earl Lavoy, 36, of Chatham, received the 135-month sentence Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan, Southern Division, in Grand Rapids, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan announced , Mark Totten, in a statement.

“Sexual exploitation of children is reprehensible,” Totten said. “Mr. Lavoy is a sexual predator whose blatant plan to ‘rape a minor’ was fortunately foiled by FBI agents.

“My office will not back down from our commitment to work with law enforcement partners to ensure that the sexual predators who exploit our children are brought to justice.”

Lavoy’s attorney, a court-appointed federal public defender, was not immediately available for comment Thursday.

However, Sharon Turek said in a sentencing memo to the court that her client cooperated with police and there was no evidence he had any contact with any victims. The memo also said Lavoy had no criminal record outside of the case.

Turek also said her client has a condition that prevented him from developing as a normal male and that leads to developmental disabilities and cognitive problems. As a result, he was bullied and struggles with depression.

“Mr. Lavoy has great remorse and sorrow for his actions,” his attorney said. “He allowed his deep need to fit in to overcome his morals and education. He will pay for that choice long.”

Authorities said FBI agents began investigating Lavoy after they discovered he was exchanging encrypted messages with another person. In the messages, Lavoy provided the identifying information of two minors and told the other person “that he was looking to have one of the minors ‘raped.’

After tracking the messages to Lavoy, agents obtained a warrant to search his cell phone and computer. Officials said they found Lavoy’s collection of child pornography on the devices.

A grand jury indicted Lavoy in May, according to court records. In July, he pleaded guilty to possession of child pornography, the documents show.

Lavoy is the latest in Michigan to be sentenced to prison for crimes involving child pornography.

Last week, a Kent County man was sentenced to 25 years for child sex trafficking, sexual exploitation of a child and distribution of child pornography.

Also this month, a Kaleva man was sentenced to 30 years for being part of an online child pornography network.

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@CharlesERamirez