Cassia County Man Arrested for Child Sexual Exploitation

Idaho Attorney General Announces Arrest in Child Abuse Case

The Idaho Attorney General’s Office announced the arrest of 39-year-old Michael Montoya of Burley, Idaho, on serious child exploitation charges. The arrest, made by the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, occurred on Thursday, August 30, 2024, following a search warrant executed at Montoya’s residence.

Charges and arrest details

Montoya faces two counts of production of child sexual exploitation material, five counts of possession of child sexual exploitation material, and one count of distribution of child sexual exploitation material. The investigation and subsequent arrest were the result of a coordinated effort by multiple law enforcement agencies.

Statement by Attorney General Raúl Labrador

Attorney General Raul Labrador stressed the importance of cooperation in this case, saying, “Yesterday’s arrest involved multiple agencies working together to protect children from abuse and exploitation. I am grateful for these effective partnerships and our unwavering mission to keep our children safe.”

Parties involved

The agencies that assisted the ICAC Task Force in this operation were:

Rupert Police Department
Cassia County Sheriff’s Office
Idaho State Police in District 4
Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
United States Attorney’s Office
United States Postal Inspector

Montoya’s bail has been set at $1 million.

Public encouraged to report exploitation

The Attorney General’s Office encourages anyone with information about child exploitation to come forward. Reports can be made to local law enforcement, the Attorney General’s ICAC Unit at 208-947-8700, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.

About the ICAC Task Force

The Idaho ICAC Task Force is a coalition of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies dedicated to investigating and prosecuting individuals who use the Internet to exploit children. More information and resources for parents, educators, and law enforcement officials can be found on the ICAC website at ICACIdaho.org.