An Independence Township man faces sentencing on April 25 after pleading guilty to 10 counts of computer-related pornography crimes.
Nicholas Michael Baker, 20, entered the plea on March 21, according to Oakland County Assistant Prosecutor Matthew Roth.
There were ‘no deals,? Roth said of the case, which developed through a Pennsylvania state trooper’s investigation into distribution of pornography over the Internet.
‘I think we had a rock solid case,? Roth said, giving credit to interstate law enforcement cooperation. ‘It was a real good investigation.?
Following a tip from the Pennsylvania trooper (who reported tracing pornographic images of children to a file server at Baker’s address), the Oakland County Sheriff computer crimes unit arrested Baker and confiscated his computer in December 2004.
Baker later admitted to having around 4,000 pornographic images of children as young as two and three years old, reports said, in addition to having pornographic video files.
Formal charges included three counts of distributing child sexually abusive materials (a seven-year felony), two counts of possession of child sexually abusive materials (a four-year felony) and five companion charges of use of a computer in committing a crime (a four-year felony).
Despite the potential long prison sentence, Roth said Circuit Judge Fred M. Mester may find that Baker qualifies for ‘youthful trainee status,? an option available to first offenders between ages 17-21. The judge could allow a shorter jail term, community service and probation, the successful completion of which could allow the felony charges to be expunged. That would also allow Baker to be exempted from the state sex offender registry.
Baker has been in counseling, Roth said, and the counselor’s report will be presented to the judge with the probation department’s pre-sentencing report.
Another local case involving charges of computer-related pornography is moving through the court system more slowly.
A circuit court pre-trial conference for David N. Benton, 44, of Springfield Township, has been postponed again until April 19.
Assistant prosecutor Hala Jarbou said last week that Benton’s attorney needed more time to review the charges, which include two counts of criminal sexual conduct-second degree (children under 13), eight counts of possession of child sexually-abusive material and eight counts of using a computer to commit a crime.
Benton was arrested in November 2004 after a woman employed to clean Benton’s home came across evidence of pornography.
Investigators found evidence of pornography on Benton’s computers, then interviewed two children who were allegedly victims of sexual assault by Benton.