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	The Manchester Enterprise A Heritage Newspaper Weekly Publication

Collins arrested for child porn

Investigators are trying to determine whether local children were victims

By Edward Freundl, Heritage Newspapers

PUBLISHED: March 15, 2007

A village resident has been formally charged with nine felony charges related to his involvement in a child pornography investigation that reaches across at least two states.

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Troy W. Collins, 45, of Manchester was arrested March 7 and arraigned the next morning on three counts each of distribution and possession of child pornography and of using a computer to commit a felony.

Washtenaw County Sheriff's Cmdr. David Egeler said the charges stem from an investigation initiated in late January.

A police officer from Shelby County, Ala., contacted local authorities to report that several child pornography images had been traced through various Web sites to a computer at the suspect's address in Manchester.

Deputies executed a search warrant at the Hibbard Street residence the evening of March 7 and impounded a computer, several computer drives and a number of computer disks.

They also discovered marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the home.

"There are certain items specified in the search warrant that what we can take," said Sgt. Jim Anuszkiewicz of the sheriff's substation in Manchester.

"The search was conducted by deputies, including one who is specifically trained in computer forensics. There are a lot of tools out there that are available to law enforcement."

Egeler said an initial review of just one computer drive revealed more than 7,300 child pornography images stored, and the suspect was arrested immediately.

"Within minutes of reviewing one hard drive, (the forensic investigator) ran across literally thousands of images that were clearly child porn," Egeler said.

At this time, investigators do not believe the suspect took any of the photographs himself or that local children are involved, but there is a large amount of evidence to review.

If locally produced material is found, Washtenaw County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Steve Hiller said the warrant against Collins could be amended.

"There are separate offenses that would apply for manufacturing child sexually abusive material," Hiller said. "Whether they will apply to this defendant, there is no way to say at this point."

Egeler said the suspect had no previous arrest record.

"As far as I could tell, he didn't have any prior arrests history with us," he said.

At his arraignment, bond for Collins was set at $100,000 or 10 percent cash, and his next court appearance was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday.

"He remains lodged at the jail until he can come up with $10,000," Egeler said.

Edward Freundl is a reporter for Heritage Newspapers. He can be reached at 428-8173 or efreundl@heritage.com.