SAULT STE. MARIE — A pair of eastern Upper Peninsula men have been arrested and arraigned on child-related sex charges. Both arrests came after investigations by the Michigan State Police Computer Crimes Unit, Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Mason Lee Charles Harger-Laporte, 29 of Rudyard, was charged with two counts of child sexually abuse activity – aggravated and one count of using a computer to commit a crime. He was arrested following an investigation which was initiated when it was learned Harger-Laporte was receiving child sexually abusive material online. A search of his residence resulted in digital evidence being seized and the activity was confirmed, police said.

He was arraigned in the 91st District Court of Chippewa County on Oct. 31. He was released on a $25,000 cash bond with conditions including no contact with anyone under 18 and that he does not use the internet on any electronic device.

If convicted, Harger-Laporte faces up to 25 years in prison for child sexually abusive activity – aggravated, and up to 20 years in prison for using a computer to commit a crime.

A second defendant, 27-year-old Wyatt McMahon of Sault Ste. Marie was arrested and charged with three counts of aggravated possession of child sexually abusive material and using a computer to commit a crime. McMahon was arrested following an investigation which was initiated when it was learned he was receiving child sexually abusive material online. A search of his residence resulted in digital evidence being seized and the activity was confirmed, police said.

McMahon was arraigned in the 91st District Court of Chippewa County on Oct. 29. He was released on a $25,000 cash bond with conditions including no contact with anyone under 18 and that he does not use the internet on any electronic device.

If convicted, McMahon faces up to 10 years in prison for each count of aggravated possession of child sexually abusive material and up to 10 years in prison for using a computer to commit a crime.

The MSP Computer Crimes Unit encourages parents to speak to their children and family members about safe use of the internet. There are many resources available to assist in keeping people safe online. The Michigan ICAC Task Force provides a comprehensive list of resources on their website at http://www.michigan.gov/ICAC.

If you have information regarding possible child sexual exploitation, report it to the CyberTipLine at http://www.missingkids.org/cybertipline.

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