A recent arrest of a Battle Creek man for sexual assault against a minor has revealed a large amount of child porn that was in his possession. The police came forward to address the public on Wednesday, April 3, 2013 regarding this evidence. Investigators are worried that the evidence found could involve other minor children from Battle Creek.
Travis Sprouse, 28, was arrested on March 28, 2013 and charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct, a penetration offense, and second-degree criminal sexual contact, a touching offense. Both charges are against a minor child under the age of 13 years.
The investigation started on March 19, 2013, when police received a tip that Sprouse may have sexually assaulted a minor child. Police were able to obtain a search warrant and raided Sprouse's motel room where he was arrested and a computer was seized. Sprouse's arrest took place at the Hometown Inn, one block away from the police department.
A search of the computer unveiled hundreds of pornographic images of children. Some were professionally made, while others were homemade. Some of the images were of the victim of the sexual assault.
Police are concerned that some of these images could be of other minors in the Battle Creek area, which means there could be additional victims. Investigators are asking anyone with information to call Detective Scott Silverman at (269)966-3322 or Detective Sgt. Jim Martens at (269)966-3349. Anyone with young children who have been in contact with Sprouse over the last several years are also encouraged to call police. Investigators believe the sexual crimes were committed between January 1, 2010 and March 19 of this year.
Sprouse is being held on a $100,000 bond at the Calhoun County Correctional Facility. His preliminary examination is scheduled for April 22, 2013 at Calhoun County District Court. Detective Martens said police are seeking additional charges against Sprouse, for manufacturing and possession of child pornography.
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