A man from Lorain County, Ohio, has been charged with receiving, distributing, and possessing child sexual abuse materials. According to federal authorities, Michael Neville, 46, of Elyria, engaged in sexually explicit conversations with an undercover agent who was posing as the father of a 9-year-old girl on a social media messaging platform. The criminal complaint states that these discussions revealed Neville’s sexual interest in children.
Federal investigators found that Neville’s electronic device contained images involving pre-pubescent children. Authorities also allege that he sent material depicting the sadistic abuse of an infant.
If convicted, Neville could face up to 20 years in prison for each charge related to receipt and distribution of images involving minors in sexually explicit activity, as well as for possession of child pornography.
The FBI Cleveland Division is handling the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Margaret A. Kane is prosecuting the case for the Northern District of Ohio.
“Anyone with knowledge and information about this matter, please call the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force at 216-698-3151.”
“A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
