Holly resident arraigned on federal child pornography charges

Chad Alan Cole

HOLLY, Michigan – Holly resident, Chad Alan Cole, 45 was arraigned on Feb. 15 in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan and federally charged on four counts relating to child pornography.

Holly police officers arrested Cole at his Rosette Street residence on Thursday as the department assisted in an investigation prompted by the Nez Perce County Sheriff’s office in Idaho and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The investigation pertained to Cole’s involvement in sending sexually explicit photos of himself via the Internet to a minor, in addition to receiving sexually explicit photographs and other communications from the minor.

The specific charges against Cole include production of child pornography, knowing receipt of child pornography, knowing possession of child pornography, and transfer of obscene material to a minor.

Production, receipt and possession of child pornography charges each carry a minimum 15 year felony, while the transfer of obscene material to a minor charge carries a maximum 10 year prison sentence, Holly Police Detective, Julie Bemus said.

The investigation, Bemus said, is still ongoing as there is the distinct possibility of more victims in the immediate area and in other states.

Cole was previously convicted in July of 2006 for the misdemeanor of furnishing obscenity to children. Cole successfully completed probation in that case, and was not required to register as a sex offender, the report said.

A federal detention hearing will be held in Wayne County on at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 20. Until then, Cole remains lodged at the Wayne County Jail.