Livingston County man faces child porn charges
DETROIT — A man has been ordered held without bond after being charged in federal court with making and sharing sexually explicit images of an underage girl.
John Michael Garron, who had addresses in South Lyon, Stockbridge and Howell, faces charges of sexual exploitation of children and transportation of child pornography, according to a federal grand jury indictment filed June 7 in the U.S. District Court for Eastern Michigan.
"The nature and circumstances of the offenses charged are very serious and disturbing," federal magistrate David Grand said in a pre-trial detention order signed June 1. "While Garron has a good work history, no criminal history, and family support, those factors are outweighed by the danger he poses to the community."
A preliminary exam on the charges is slated for 1 p.m. June 14.
Prosecutors allege that Garron, in 2018, made sexually explicit photos of a girl who was younger than 13. The second count alleges that in 2021 he "transported" images by using a computer.
In an affidavit used to obtain warrants, FBI agents said they discovered that Garron, through a Wickr account — an app that allows communication with military-grade encryption — spoke about and shared images of minors.
In one instance, Garron, as "greatlakes18" identified the girl and gave her age. The girl's father later identified the girl from photos and the location the photos were made.
Agents also said they determined Garron uploaded six sexually explicit videos through Dropbox from a home in Howell.
An agent engaged Garron in online conversations through apps such as Element and Wickr, according to the affidavit, and spoke about the age of the girl, actions he had taken and shared explicit photos.
Garron's home was searched May 25. Multiple electronic devices were seized, as well as the anti-depressant trazodone and the sedative Ambien in pill form, which he had mentioned online. Garron was arrested in South Lyon May 31.
Among the items seized was a sex doll that appeared to be a child, "which corroborates Garron's strong sexual interest in children," Grand said in his detention order.
Brian Thomas Dailey of the Dailey Law Firm, who is representing Garron, declined to comment.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Livingston County man faces child porn charges
