Ionia County Man Accused of Sexual Exploitation of Minor

GRAND RAPIDS — U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten announced Wednesday that Ethan Eversman, 24, of Ionia, has been charged with criminal charges related to alleged sexual exploitation of a minor and distribution and possession of child pornography.

“Children should not have to endure the trauma of being victims of child exploitation,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “My office is committed to working with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to protect our most defenseless citizens from egregious sexual crimes.”

The indictment alleges that from 2021 to June 2024, Eversman convinced a minor victim in New York to take explicit photos and videos of herself and send them to him online. Eversman is also accused of sending child pornography videos to others and possessing child pornography on his cellphone. If convicted, Eversman faces up to 30 years in prison. Eversman previously worked as a corrections officer for the Eaton County Sheriff’s Office.

“Those who commit crimes against our children or possess child pornography are investigated and apprehended by members of the FBI and/or our law enforcement partners,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Michigan. “This joint investigation between the Michigan State Police, members of the FBI in the Lansing area, and the combined efforts of federal, state and local law enforcement partners embedded in the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force, contributed to the arrest of an alleged sexual predator.”

“The Michigan State Police and the investigators of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force are committed to investigating and arresting those who exploit children,” said Col. James F. Grady II. “We appreciate the support and assistance of our federal partners at the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in this important work.”

This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, district attorneys’ offices, the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC), and federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement work closely together to identify, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children. Project Safe Childhood partners work to educate local communities about the dangers of online child exploitation and to teach children how to protect themselves. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov. Anyone with information or concerns about possible child exploitation should contact their local law enforcement officials.

This case was investigated by the FBI and the Michigan State Police.

The charges in an indictment are merely accusations and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.