Cassia County Man Arrested for Child Sexual Exploitation – Theforgegastown

Idaho Attorney General Announces Arrest in Child Abuse Case

The Idaho Attorney General’s Office has announced the arrest of Michael Montoya, 39, 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.

Details of charges and arrest

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

Statement by Attorney General Raul 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 protect our children.”

Parties involved

The agencies that assisted the ICAC Working Group in this operation include:

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

Montoya’s bail was set at $1 million.

The public is encouraged to report cases of 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 Working Group

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.