Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox Arrests Bridgman Child Predator

Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox Arrests Bridgman Child Predator

Defendant traveled to Novi for encounter with 14-year-old girl

LANSING, Mich., Nov. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox announced today the arrest of Thomas Russell, 41, of Bridgman, Mich., who used the Internet to send obscene images and arrange a sexual encounter with who he thought was a 14-year-old girl, but was actually an Attorney General Investigator.

Russell traveled from his home in Bridgman to meet the girl in Novi. He was arrested there on Tuesday morning and was conveyed to the Novi Police Department for an interview with an Attorney General Agent. He admitted to traveling to meet the minor and will be arraigned in 52-1 District Court tomorrow. Two search warrants are being executed for Russell's home.

"We must protect our children against these dangerous individuals," Cox said. "We have taught our children the dangers of dark alleys and talking to strangers. Together, we must now educate them about the dangers of the Internet and the predators that seek to harm them. My office is partnering with parents to keep our children safe, and we will continue to do just that."

Russell faces five felony charges stemming from Tuesday's arrest including: one count of Child Sexually Abusive Activity (1), a 20-year and/or $100,000 felony; one count of using the Internet to commit the crime of Child Sexually Abusive Activity, a 20-year and/or $20,000 felony; and three counts of distributing obscene matter to a minor, a 4-year and/or $5,000 felony.

Russell is the 21st arrest in Attorney General Cox's new campaign to utilize undercover investigators to identify and prosecute Internet child predators.

The Novi Police Department assisted Attorney General Investigators in the case.


Source: Michigan Attorney General

CONTACT: Randall Thompson of Michigan Attorney General's office,
+1-517-373-8060

Web site: http://www.michigan.gov/ag


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