LANSING, Mich. — The Livingston County Sheriff’s Department has handed over two men to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after they were allegedly involved in an online child predation case. According to Sheriff Mike Murphy, the two men, whose immigration status is believed to be illegal, were apprehended following a suspicious person complaint in Genoa Township.
The incident unfolded on Wednesday, when deputies were dispatched to Audrey Rae Lane near Latson Road. Upon arrival, deputies encountered a group known as Bikers Against Predators, an organization dedicated to identifying potential child predators through online sting operations. The group reported that they had been corresponding with two men, who had allegedly initiated explicit conversations with someone they believed to be a 13-year-old child. The men are accused of soliciting a meeting for sex after the supposed minor clearly stated their age during the online exchange.
The Bikers Against Predators group identified two Hispanic males as the individuals involved in the conversations. The men were subsequently detained and taken to the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office, where they were interviewed with the assistance of a translator. Following the interviews, the sheriff’s office contacted ICE, as both men were believed to be in the country illegally.
At this time, details about the men’s legal status remain unclear, and the sheriff’s office has not confirmed whether the two will face charges related to the alleged child predation. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities continuing to probe into both the nature of the online interactions and the men’s immigration status.
Sheriff Murphy’s office has yet to disclose where the men are being held, nor have they provided information about whether their citizenship status has been verified. The sheriff’s office emphasized that the incident is still under investigation and further updates will be provided as the case progresses.
As of now, the community remains on alert as authorities work to determine the full scope of the situation. The sheriff’s office has assured the public that it is prioritizing a thorough investigation to ensure the safety of residents and hold those responsible for illegal and predatory behavior accountable.
