Man faces child pornography charges
A 50-year-old Muskegon man has been charged with taking sexually explicit photographs of children in the East Muskegon area and with possessing child pornography.
Muskegon police are continuing an investigation that began Nov. 15 after a visitor to the man's home was shown some of the pictures, said Detective Sgt. Monica Shirey.Police executed a search warrant on Nov. 21 at the home of Mark Edwin Abbey, 760 Catherine, and seized a variety of items related to child pornography, said Muskegon County Prosecutor Tony Tague.
Abbey was arraigned Monday before 60th District Judge Harold F. Closz III on felony charges of child sexually abusive commercial activity, possession of child sexually abusive material and accosting a child from immoral purposes.
He remains lodged in the Muskegon County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail. A preliminary examination has been set for Dec. 6.
"He had hundreds of photographs -- a mixture of adult and child pornography," Shirey said.
Tague said many of the printed photos were of "clearly pre-pubescent males and females."
Tague said some of the children in the photographs have been identified as local children and other pictures appear to be from outside sources, such as the Internet.
Investigators are continuing to check for other possible local victims. Parents who think their children may have frequented Abbey's home should contact Muskegon police. The contact number, (231) 724-6738, is for Shirey.
"The investigation revealed that Abbey had enticed children to allow him to take nude, sexually-suggestive photos," Tague said. "We were also able to determine that he was visiting various Web sites involved in child pornography and had a mySpace page."
Abbey's computer system, which included a Web camera, was seized and is being analyzed by the Michigan State Police crime lab.
"He is obviously an extremely dangerous predator of young children," Tague said, adding that he "offered at least one child money in order to perfrom a sexual act."
The first offense Abbey is charged with carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. The other two offenses are four-year felonies.
The court file shows Abbey has a prior conviction for second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a child under the age of 13. On Aug. 31, 1994, he was sentenced to three to 15 years in prison for the offense, which was committed two years earlier.
Abbey was discharged from prison on Aug. 29, 2005, according to the state Department of Corrections Web site. He also has a prior conviction from 1976 for vehicle theft in Newaygo County.
Because of the earlier convictions, he could face significant time in prison as a habitual offender if he is convicted of the current offenses.
http://blog.mlive.com/chronicle/2007/11/man_faces_child_pornography_ch.html
Man charged as child pornographer may face additional counts
A 50-year-old Muskegon man already charged with taking sexually explicit photographs of children in the East Muskegon area and possessing child pornography might face additional charges.
Muskegon County Prosecutor Tony Tague said Thursday Mark Edwin Abbey of 760 Catherine could face additional charges of criminal sexual conduct.
Tague said two alleged victims have come forward and authorities are questioning people in the neighborhood to determine if there are additional victims.
Police executed a search warrant on Nov. 21 at Abbey's home and seized a variety of items associated with child pornography.
Abbey was arraigned Monday before 60th District Judge Harold F. Closz III on felony charges of child sexually abusive commercial activity, possession of child sexually abusive material and accosting a child for immoral purposes.
The court file shows Abbey has a prior conviction for second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a child younger than 13. On Aug. 31, 1994, he was sentenced to 3-15 years in prison for the offense, which was committed two years prior.
http://blog.mlive.com/chronicle/2007/12/man_charged_as_child_pornograp.html
Man to face multiple child porn charges
"He asked me if he could take naked pictures of me."
That was the testimony of a Muskegon teen Thursday about an incident that happened in the summer of 2006 when he was 13 years old, at the home of family friend Mark Edwin Abbey, 50, of 760 Catherine.
The boy said Abbey offered him $50 per picture if he agreed to be photographed. The boy did so on two separate occasions, he said.
That testimony -- coupled with exhibits of some 200 allegedly pornographic photographs and testimony by Muskegon Police Detective Peter Boterenbrood -- was enough to persuade visiting 60th District Judge Robert Benson to bind Abbey over for trial in 14th Circuit Court on three counts: manufacturing child pornography, a 20-year felony; possessing child porn, a four-year felony; and accosting a child for immoral purposes.
More charges are likely against Abbey, who is lodged in the Muskegon County Jail in lieu of $500,000 case bond. In court Thursday, Senior Assistant Prosecutor Robert Hedges said an additional count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct was expected later that day. As of 3 p.m., no new charges had been filed.
The boy who testified in court, who is now 15, testified that Abbey had not asked him to perform any sexual acts -- just pose naked.
But at least two other children already have been identified from photos found at Abbey's home, Prosecutor Tony Tague said earlier. Officials believe more victims may also be out there.
The investigation of Abbey began Nov. 15 after a visitor to the man's home was shown some of the pictures, police said. Police executed a search warrant Nov. 21 at his home and seized child pornography and computer equipment, including a Web camera.
Last week, Tague said investigators learned Abbey had enticed children to let him take nude, sexually suggestive photos.
Abbey has a prior conviction for second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a child younger than 13, committed in 1992. He was in prison from 1994 to 2005 for that.
http://blog.mlive.com/chronicle/2007/12/man_to_face_multiple_child_por.html
Child porn suspect faces new charge
A Muskegon man already facing trial on child pornography counts has now been charged with having sex with an underage boy.
The Muskegon County Prosecutor's Office issued an arrest warrant late Thursday for the already-jailed Mark Edwin Abbey, 50, on a new charge of third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person between the ages of 13 and 15. Abbey's arraignment was expected today.
Prosecutors said the alleged conduct was oral sex and occurred this year at Abbey's home at 760 Catherine.
Authorities learned of the alleged victim and interviewed him in the course of their investigation after Abbey's arrest on child porn and other charges.
The boy was not one of those pictured in Abbey's collection of hundreds of photographs, according to Senior Assistant Prosecutor Raymond J. Kostrzewa.
Kostrzewa said other children have also been talking with investigators about "inappropriate contact" by Abbey.
Earlier Thursday, another boy testified in court: "He asked me if he could take naked pictures of me."
The teen was speaking about an incident that happened in the summer of 2006 when he was 13 years old, at the home of Abbey, a family friend.
The boy said Abbey offered him $50 per picture if he agreed to be photographed. The boy did so on two separate occasions, he said.
That testimony -- coupled with exhibits of some 200 photographs as well as testimony by Muskegon Police Detective Peter Boterenbrood -- was enough to persuade visiting 60th District Judge Robert Benson to bind Abbey over for trial in 14th Circuit Court on three counts: manufacturing child pornography, a 20-year felony; possessing child porn, a four-year felony; and accosting a child for immoral purposes.
Abbey is lodged in the Muskegon County Jail in lieu of $500,000 cash or surety bond.
The boy who appeared in court testified that Abbey had not asked him to perform sexual acts -- just pose naked.
At least two other children have been identified from photos found at Abbey's home, Prosecutor Tony Tague said earlier.
The investigation of Abbey began Nov. 15 after a visitor to the man's home was shown some of the pictures, police said. Police executed a search warrant Nov. 21 at his home and seized child pornography and computer equipment, including a Web camera.
Last month, Tague said investigators learned Abbey had enticed children to let him take nude, sexually suggestive photos.
Abbey has a prior conviction for second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a child younger than 13, committed in 1992. He was in prison from 1994 to 2005 for that.
http://www.mlive.com/muskegon/stories/index.ssf?/base/news-13/11988567277930.xml&coll=8
Child porn suspect faces sex charge
Categories: Muskegon County
A Muskegon man already facing trial on child pornography counts has now been arraigned for allegedly having sex with an underage boy.
Mark Edwin Abbey, 50, was arraigned Thursday in 60th District Court on a charge of third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person between the ages of 13 and 15.
Judge Harold F. Closz III set bail at $10,000 cash or surety and preliminary examination for Jan. 16.
The alleged conduct was oral sex and it reportedly occurred in November at Abbey's residence, 760 Catherine.
Authorities learned of the alleged victim and interviewed him during the course of their investigation after Abbey's arrest on child porn and other charges.
In late December, Abbey was bound over to 14th Circuit Court for trial on on three charges: manufacturing child pornography, a 20-year felony; possessing child porn, a four-year felony; and accosting a child for immoral purposes. The criminal sexual conduct charge is a 15-year felony.
Abbey now has a bail totaling $510,000 and remains lodged in the Muskegon County Jail.
http://blog.mlive.com/chronicle/2008/01/child_porn_suspect_faces_sex_c.html
Boy testifies against child porn suspect
"He would, like, whisper stuff in my ear: 'How would you like to be with them?' ... 'What would you do if you were there?'"
The teen-age boy on the witness stand was testifying that 50-year-old Mark Edwin Abbey would show him pictures on Abbey's home computer of "naked women (and) a couple young children" -- all appearing to be "home photos" -- then talk to the boy about them.
Eventually, the boy testified, Abbey began performing oral sex on him. That happened at least 10 times over a period of months, the witness said.
The boy said he was 14 when the sex started. The acts occurred in 2006 and 2007, he said.
The boy testified Wednesday at a 60th District Court preliminary examination for alleged child pornographer Abbey, of 760 Catherine. In the newest case, Abbey is charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person between the ages of 13 and 15, a 15-year felony.
At the end of the hearing, Judge Michael J. Nolan decided that probable cause had been established that Abbey committed the crime and ordered him bound over for trial in 14th Circuit Court. He is charged as a third-time habitual offender, which could lengthen his maximum prison term if he's convicted.
Abbey already faces trial on charges of manufacturing child pornography, a 20-year felony; possessing child porn, a four-year felony; and accosting a child for immoral purposes. At Abbey's Dec. 27 preliminary examination on those charges, a different boy testified that Abbey took naked pictures of him when the boy was 13.
More charges are expected.
http://blog.mlive.com/chronicle/2008/01/boy_testifies_against_child_po.html
Accused child pornographer to stand trial
Thursday, January 17, 2008
By John S. Hausmanjhausman@muskegonchronicle.com
"He would, like, whisper stuff in my ear: 'How would you like to be with them?' ... 'What would you do if you were there?"'
The teenage boy on the witness stand was testifying that 50-year-old Mark Edwin Abbey would show him pictures on Abbey's home computer of "naked women (and) a couple young children" -- all appearing to be "home photos" -- then talk to the boy about them.
Eventually, the boy testified, Abbey began performing oral sex on him. That happened at least 10 times over a period of months, the witness said.
The boy said he was 14 when the sex started. The acts occurred in 2006 and 2007, he said.
The boy testified Wednesday at a 60th District Court preliminary examination for alleged child pornographer Abbey, of 760 Catherine. In the newest case, Abbey is charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a person between the ages of 13 and 15, a 15-year felony.
At the end of the hearing, Judge Michael J. Nolan decided that probable cause had been established that Abbey committed the crime and ordered him bound over for trial in 14th Circuit Court. He is charged as a third-time habitual offender, which could lengthen his maximum prison term if he's convicted.
Abbey already faces trial on charges of manufacturing child pornography, a 20-year felony; possessing child porn, a four-year felony; and accosting a child for immoral purposes. At Abbey's Dec. 27 preliminary examination on those charges, a different boy testified that Abbey took naked pictures of him when the boy was 13.
More charges are expected. In court, Senior Assistant Muskegon County Prosecutor Paula Baker said the prosecutor's office plans to charge Abbey with two additional sex counts.
Abbey is lodged in the Muskegon County Jail in lieu of $510,000 bail on the various charges.
The Muskegon Police investigation of Abbey began Nov. 15 after a visitor to the man's home was shown some of the pictures, police said. Police executed a search warrant Nov. 21 at his home and seized child pornography and computer equipment, including a Web camera.
Abbey has a prior conviction for second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a child younger than 13, committed in 1992. He was in prison from 1994 to 2005 for that.
Too bad Abbey doesn't live in Texas!
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