Baldwin Man Sentenced to 25 Years in Prison for Sexual Exploitation of a Child

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Timothy VerHey today announced that Christian Anthony Vanderveen, 25, of Baldwin, Michigan, was sentenced to 25 years in prison for the sexual exploitation of a minor.

In December 2024, a woman called 911 to report that Vanderveen had been sending explicit pictures to her 11-year-old daughter. A police investigation led to a search at Vanderveen’s home and the seizure of multiple devices. In reviewing his cell phone, law enforcement discovered that Vanderveen repeatedly asked for and received child pornography from the 11-year-old girl, as well as posing as a girl online in an attempt to get sexually explicit images from another minor.

“Judge Beckering’s sentence today sends a clear message to anyone who is thinking of preying on our kids—just don’t do it.  If you do, we will find you and the consequences will be severe,” said United States Attorney Timothy VerHey. 

“This sentencing demonstrates the serious consequences awaiting those who target and prey on children,” said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “The sexual exploitation of these children was stopped due to the excellent investigative teamwork of the FBI Grand Rapids WEBCHEX Task Force, the Michigan State Police, along with the successful prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan. The FBI and its partners in Michigan remain committed to doing everything we can to protect our most vulnerable populations from harm.”

“Protecting children is one of our highest responsibilities,” said Captain Jason Nemecek of the Michigan State Police 6th District Command. “The Michigan State Police will continue to work with our federal partners to investigate and support the prosecution of individuals who commit these horrific crimes. Today’s sentence reinforces our unwavering dedication to bringing child predators to justice and ensuring victims are protected.”

The Michigan State Police and Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated this case. Assistant United States Attorney Doaa K. Al-Howaishy prosecuted it.

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 Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and 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, including resources for parents and children about staying safe online, please visit justice.gov/PSC.