UPDATE: A Wisconsin man facing child pornography and human trafficking charges linked to the Philippines has set a plea hearing

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2024, 7:32 PM

WEST BEND, Wis. (WFRV) – A 36-year-old Wisconsin man accused of possessing child pornography and human trafficking in the Philippines appeared in court Tuesday.

Wisconsin Circuit Court records show Michael Westphal of West Bend appeared at the Washington County courthouse, and a plea was scheduled during the appearance.

Westphal’s plea hearing is scheduled for November 22, 2024 at 10:30 a.m.

No additional details were provided. Local 5 News will continue to follow this case as it progresses through the Wisconsin Circuit Court system.

UPDATE: A Wisconsin man facing child pornography and human trafficking charges linked to the Philippines will appear in court

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2024, 3:30 PM

WEST BEND, Wis. (WFRV) – The 36-year-old Wisconsin man accused of possessing child pornography and human trafficking in the Philippines was back in court Wednesday.

Wisconsin Circuit Court records show that Michael A. Westphal of West Bend appeared with an attorney for a scheduled hearing, and a plea hearing was scheduled to take place in early October.

The plea hearing is scheduled for October 2 at 1:15 p.m

No additional details were provided. Local 5 News will continue to follow this case as it progresses through the legal system.

A Wisconsin man is facing 24 charges of possession of child pornography and human trafficking in connection with the Philippines

Thursday 30/05/24, 5:43 PM

(WFRV) – Michael Westphal, 36, who was arrested after an investigation into his connections to the Philippines led to the arrest of three human traffickers and the rescue of six children, had a court hearing Thursday.

Court records show that Westphal appeared in court on May 30 for a hearing, where an additional adjournment was requested, based on forensic reports that are still pending.

Another hearing for Westphal is scheduled for July 17 at 9:45 a.m

Investigation after arrest of Wisconsin man culminates in raid in Philippines, arresting three human traffickers and rescuing six children

Wednesday 27/03/24, 11:29 am

(WFRV) – Following the 2023 arrest of a southeastern Wisconsin man on multiple charges related to child sexual abuse material (CSAM), an investigation into his connections to the Philippines led to the arrest of three human traffickers and the rescue of six children.

According to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, 36-year-old Michael Westphal was arrested in July 2023 on charges of allegedly possessing, sharing and soliciting child sexual abuse material.

Westphal, a native of Newburg, was reportedly a custodian for the West Bend School District at the time of his arrest. However, the investigation was not completed after Westphal’s arrest because authorities were aware of Westphal’s alleged communications with a child sex trafficker in the Philippines.

Authorities say Westphal allegedly sent the sex trafficker money in exchange for videos and photos of a child being sexually abused. The release also noted that Westphal believed the money also covered the costs for the trafficker to adopt the victim.

Additionally, Westphal was reportedly planning a trip to the Philippines to meet the trafficker and victim in person.

A lead detective then began working with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents to identify the trafficker and the victim.

Over the past eight months, HSI agents have been working closely with Philippine National Police (PNP) and Philippine National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) authorities on this case.

On March 25, the investigation culminated in a raid in the Philippines, which resulted in the arrest of three human traffickers and the rescue of six children, ages 2 to 15. The rescued children reportedly included Westphal’s alleged victim.

These suspects will now be charged in the Philippines, authorities say.

Victims of child sexual exploitation are among the most vulnerable among us and often need an advocate by their side to free them from their unspeakable horror. These children had lawyers all over the world who came together with the common goal of freeing them while bringing the perpetrators who committed the heinous crimes to justice.

Washington County Sheriff Martin Schulteis

The Washington County Sheriff’s Office also thanked Homeland Security Investigations, as well as the PNP and NBI in the Philippines for their efforts in the case.

Westphal is currently in custody on $500,000 bail at the Washington County Jail. Court records show Westphal is facing 24 counts of possession of child pornography and one count of child trafficking.

Westphal’s next court appearance is scheduled for May 30 at 1:15 p.m

No additional information was provided.