Former Eaton County Prison Guard Indicted on Federal Child Pornography Charges

A former Eaton County prison guard, Ethan Eversman, 24, of Ionia, has been indicted on federal charges including sexual exploitation of a minor and possession and distribution of child pornography. As reported by The Detroit News, Eversman is accused of convincing a minor from New York to send him explicit videos and images, a series of events that occurred from 2021 to June 2024.

According to documentation from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan, Eversman faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted. U.S. Attorney Mark Totten stressed the importance of protecting “our most defenseless citizens from egregious sexual crimes.” He also shared the explicit material with others after an investigation sparked by a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, as WOOD TV reports.

The case falls under Project Safe Childhood, a national campaign aimed at protecting children from online exploitation and abuse. FBI Michigan Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson announced the collaborative efforts between the FBI, Michigan State Police and the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force that led to this indictment. In a similar vein, Colonel James F. Grady II of the Michigan State Police emphasized their dedication to investigating and arresting those who “exploit children.”