Sextortion and Sexploitation in Michigan

Sextortion and sexploitation are increasingly prevalent and devastating forms of digital abuse, leveraging technology to coerce, manipulate, and exploit individuals, often for sexual gratification or financial gain.

These crimes involve a severe breach of trust and privacy, with victims facing immense emotional and psychological harm, public humiliation, and financial ruin. In Michigan, these malicious acts are met with serious legal penalties, reflecting the profound societal impact of such offenses and the urgent need to protect vulnerable individuals in the digital sphere.

The rise of the internet and social media has unfortunately provided new platforms for perpetrators to engage in these heinous acts. Sextortion involves threatening to distribute intimate or sexually explicit images or videos of someone unless they comply with demands, often for more explicit material, money, or sexual acts.

Sexploitation, particularly when referring to child sexual exploitation, involves the abuse of individuals, especially minors, for sexual purposes through various means, including the creation, distribution, or possession of child sexually abusive material. Michigan’s laws have evolved to specifically address these modern forms of sexual abuse, recognizing the unique harm they inflict and the digital pathways through which they are perpetrated.

Here are key details and factual information regarding these offenses under Michigan Compiled Laws (MCL):

Sexual Extortion (MCL 750.213b)

This is a relatively new and critical addition to Michigan law, specifically targeting threats to release, exhibit, create, or distribute “sexually explicit visual material” of another individual. The intent of the threat is to compel or attempt to compel the victim to do or refrain from doing any act against their will.

“Sexually explicit visual material” is broadly defined to include photographs or videos depicting nudity, erotic fondling, sexual intercourse, or sadomasochistic abuse.

Penalties are severe and escalate:

• First offense: Felony, up to 5 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $5,000, or both.
• Second offense: Felony, up to 10 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $10,000, or both.
• Third or subsequent offense: Felony, up to 20 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $20,000, or both.
• Aggravated Sexual Extortion: If the victim is under 18 or a vulnerable adult and the offender is over 18, or if the victim suffers serious physical harm, serious mental harm, or death, the crime becomes a felony punishable by up to 25 years imprisonment.

Minors committing sextortion may face misdemeanor charges.

Source: MCL 750.213b (Effective April 2, 2025).

Child Sexploitation / Child Sexually Abusive Material (CSAM) (MCL 750.145c)

Michigan law rigorously prohibits various acts related to child sexual exploitation, broadly referred to as “child sexually abusive material” (CSAM). This encompasses the production, distribution, and possession of such material.

Types of Prohibited Conduct:

Possession of CSAM: Felony, punishable by up to 4 years imprisonment and a $10,000 fine. This includes viewing pornographic material of a child.

Distribution or Promotion of CSAM: Felony, punishable by up to 7 years imprisonment and a $50,000 fine.

Production of CSAM (including enticing or coercing a child): Felony, punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment and a $100,000 fine.

A conviction often leads to mandatory lifetime registration on the Michigan Sex Offender Registry.

Source: MCL 750.145c (governs child pornography crimes, including possession, reproduction, distribution, and soliciting a child).

Disseminating Sexually Explicit Matter to a Minor (MCL 722.675)

This law makes it a felony to knowingly disseminate to a minor (under 18) sexually explicit visual or verbal material that is harmful to minors, or knowingly exhibit to a minor a sexually explicit performance that is harmful to minors.

Penalties: Felony, punishable by imprisonment for not more than 2 years or a fine of not more than $10,000, or both.

Source: MCL 722.675

Criminal Sexual Conduct (CSC) (MCL 750.520b et seq.)

While broader, some forms of sexual exploitation, particularly involving direct sexual penetration or contact with a minor, fall under Michigan’s extensive Criminal Sexual Conduct statutes, with first-degree CSC being among the most serious felonies.

Source: MCL 750.520b

Macomb County, Livingston County, Washtenaw County and Oakland County:

Law enforcement in Macomb County, Livingston County, Washtenaw County and Oakland County, rigorously investigates allegations of extortion and racketeering.

These complex cases often involve extensive investigations, sometimes collaborating with state police or federal agencies like the FBI, especially when racketeering crosses jurisdictional lines.

The Police Department, often working in conjunction with the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office’s Special Victims Unit, actively investigates and prosecutes sextortion and sexploitation cases. These investigations often involve digital forensics and coordination with state and federal agencies due to the online nature of these crimes.

Source: Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office – Special Victims Unit

Komorn Law

Facing charges related to sextortion or sexploitation requires a deep understanding of complex digital evidence and Michigan’s evolving laws. Komorn Law, established in 1993, has the experience and expertise to fight your case in a court of law, from the district to federal court systems.

Attorney Michael Komorn and his team are known for their aggressive approach and mature understanding of the trial and appeals process, ensuring clients receive a robust defense. When you’re ready to hire a lawyer who hates to lose, call Komorn Law at (248) 357-2550.

We fight for our clients throughout the State of Michigan and Northern Ohio.

Here are some court contacts we frequently handle cases.

Oakland County

If you are facing any legal charges in Oakland County and need to hire an attorney, call our Office (248) 357-2550. If you need to contact the court, here is the information:

• Telephone Number: (248) 858-0344
• Address: 1200 N Telegraph Rd, Department 404, Pontiac, MI 48341-0404
• Website: Oakland County 6th Judicial Circuit Court

Macomb County

If you are facing any legal charges in Macomb County and need to hire an attorney, call our Office (248) 357-2550. If you need to contact the court, here is the information:

• Telephone Number: (586) 469-5150
• Address: 40 N. Main Street, Mt. Clemens, MI 48043
• Website: Macomb County 16th Judicial Circuit Court

Wayne County

If you are facing any legal charges in Wayne County and need to hire an attorney, call our Office (248) 357-2550. If you need to contact the court, here is the information for the Third Circuit Court (Wayne County):

• Telephone Number (Civil/Family): (313) 224-5510
• Telephone Number (Criminal): (313) 224-5261 or (313) 224-2503
• Address (Civil/Family): 2 Woodward Avenue, Detroit, MI 48226
• Address (Criminal): 1441 St. Antoine, Detroit, MI 48226
• Website: https://www.3rdcc.org/

Kent County

If you are facing any legal charges in Kent County and need to hire an attorney, call our Office (248) 357-2550. If you need to contact the court, here is the information:

• Telephone Number: (616) 632-5220
• Address: 180 Ottawa Avenue NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
• Website: Kent County

Traverse County

If you are facing any legal charges in Traverse County and need to hire an attorney, call our Office (248) 357-2550. If you need to contact the court, here is the information for the 13th Circuit Court (which includes Traverse County):

• Telephone Number: (231) 922-4701
• Address: 328 Washington Street, Suite 300, Traverse City, MI 49684
• Website: Traverse City 13h Circuit Court

Monroe County

If you are facing any legal charges in Monroe County and need to hire an attorney, call our Office (248) 357-2550. If you need to contact the court, here is the information:

• Telephone Number: (734) 240-7020
• Address: 106 E First Street, Monroe, MI 48161
• Website: Monroe County 38th Circuit Court