Patrick Darren Moore

GWINN — A Forsyth Township man has been arrested and charged with sexual exploitation of a minor, among other related offenses.

According to the Forsyth Township Police Department, Patrick Darren Moore, 44, of Gwinn, faces the following charges:

• 11 counts of using a computer to commit a crime

• 7 counts of aggravated child sexually abusive material

• 4 counts of possession of child sexually abusive material

• 1 count of criminal sexual conduct, third offense

• 1 count of evidence tampering.

FTPD said the investigation of the case started Aug. 12 with an allegation of sexual exploitation of a minor. Moore was taken into custody in Escanaba on Wednesday by members of the Forsyth department and Escanaba Department of Public Safety without incident.

The arrest came after FTPD officers conducted a search of Moore’s residence which resulted in digital evidence being seized. Upon further examination of those items by the Michigan State Police Computer Crimes Unit in Marquette, child sexually abusive material was located on cellular device belonging to Moore, a FTPD press release states.

Assisting in the investigation was the MSP Computer Crimes Unit, Escanaba public safety and the Northern Lights Child Advocacy Center.

Bud Sargent can be reached at 906-228-2500, extension 544. His email address is bsargent@miningjournal.net.