A LaPorte man faces charges of transportation of child pornography.
Michael Christianson, 50, was charged after complaints of inappropriate material that presented itself as books geared for children, according to federal prosecutors.
The complaint was received in early July, and Christianson was the author of the material.
They were three books that had been submitted for publication. He was convicted in 2002 of child molesting and sentenced to 30 years in prison, but was released in 2016.
The U.S. Attorneys Office released the following information regarding the case:
United States Attorney Thomas L. Kirsch and Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent In Charge Grant Mendenhall in coordination with LaPorte County Prosecutor John Lake announced that Michael Christianson, age 50, of LaPorte, Indiana was charged with transportation of child pornography.
The criminal complaint alleges that on or about July 2, 2019 FBI Agents from the Charlotte Division responded to a complaint by a book publisher about material contained inside three books submitted for publication and authored by Mr. Christianson. The lead was distributed to Indiana FBI agents. The books appear to be geared toward children as they use large fonts, simple words, and most of the sentences rhyme. The books explain and show images of the body parts of boys and girls, encourage and show images of children playing naked with one another, and encourage and show images of naked children playing with adults, including naked adults. The forms of “play” encouraged by the books include hand to genital and genital to genital contact. The photographs and illustrations in the books include depictions of minor children being caused to lasciviously display their genitals or otherwise engage in sexually explicit conduct.
Mr. Christianson was convicted of child molesting in 2002 and was sentenced to serve 30 years in prison and register as Sexually Violent Predator for the rest of his life. He was released from prison in 2016 and was still on probation at the time of the newly charged offense.
Any members of the public who have information regarding any contact Mr. Christianson has had with minor children are encouraged to call the FBI at (219) 942-4900.
The United States Attorney’s Office emphasizes that a criminal complaint is merely an allegation and that all persons are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.
If convicted, any specific sentence to be imposed will be determined by the judge after a consideration of federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
This case is being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Gang Response Investigative Team in coordination with the Indiana State Police, the Michigan City Police Department, the Lake County Illinois State’s Attorney’s Office and the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Office. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jill R. Koster.
