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Press Release

California Attorney Indicted for Attempting to Entice a Minor

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Eastern District of Wisconsin

United States Attorney Gregory J. Haanstad of the Eastern District of Wisconsin announced that on April 11, 2023, a federal grand jury returned a three-count indictment charging Michael A. Connor (age: 53) of Newport Coast, California, with attempted enticement of a minor to engage in sexual activity, attempted production of child pornography, and possession of child pornography, contrary to Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2422(b), 2251(a), 2252A(a)(5)(B), and 2252A(b)(2).

If convicted of the attempted enticement charge, Connor faces a mandatory minimum ten years’ and up to life imprisonment.  He faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years’ up to 30 years’ imprisonment on the production charge and up to 20 years on the possession charge.  He also faces up to a $250,000 fine on each count.  

This case was investigated by the Green Lake Police Department and the Department of Homeland Security.  It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan Koenig and Megan J. Paulson.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt.  The defendant is presumed innocent and is entitled to a fair trial at which the government must prove him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.    

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006, by the U.S. Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

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For Additional Information Contact:

Public Information Officer

Kenneth.Gales@usdoj.gov

414-297-1700

 

Updated April 12, 2023