Columbus Man Charged With Coercing Minor Girls Online

COLUMBUS, Ohio – A federal grand jury has charged a Columbus man with multiple crimes related to the sexual exploitation of minors. The man allegedly chatted with minor females on Instagram, Snapchat and other social media sites and requested that the girls send him videos of themselves engaged in sexual acts.

Michael T. Sutherin, 21, of Columbus, was charged with producing, advertising for, distributing receiving and possessing child pornography, as well as coercing a minor, in a 13-count indictment returned here yesterday and filed today.

Benjamin C. Glassman, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, Todd A. Wickerham, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Cincinnati Division and members of the FBI’s Child Exploitation Task Force announced the charges.

According to the indictment, Sutherin coerced at least four females ages 12 to 15 to engage in sexual activities on video.

Sutherin’s indictment includes multiple charges punishable by a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to life in prison.

U.S. Attorney Glassman commended the investigation of this case by the FBI and Assistant United States Attorneys Heather A. Hill and S. Courter Shimeall, who are prosecuting the case.

An indictment merely contains allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

If you believe you were also a victim in this case, or have related information, please contact the FBI at 614-849-1765.

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