Michigan man charged with sexual exploitation of a child

Julian Russell of Michigan has been charged with four counts of sexual exploitation of children after allegedly contacting a 14-year-old girl on social media and encouraging her to send him sexually explicit material.

On May 13, a Crook County Sheriff’s Office deputy was dispatched to a Sundance address for a report of a 19-year-old male “messing around with” teenage girls.

In his report, the deputy states that his investigation revealed that Russell had been speaking to a 14-year-old girl on social media since the beginning of that month and had driven from Michigan to meet with her on May 12.

On the alleged victim’s phone, the deputy found explicit screenshots that she confirmed were sent to her by Russell.

The deputy spoke to Russell at his motel room in Sundance. Russell allegedly admitted to sending the photos to her and said he believed she was 15 or 16 years of age.

The deputy seized Russell’s phone for a search warrant and further investigation. Upon executing the search warrant, he allegedly located several photos of Russell and the victim together, a sexually explicit photo of the victim and explicit conversations between the two.

Based on this evidence, the deputy states that be believed Russell enticed or encouraged a minor to make child pornography and received and possessed child pornography from her.

Russell has been charged with four counts of sexual exploitation of children, a felony carrying a maximum penalty of 12 years of incarceration, a $10,000 fine or both,