STURGIS, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The St. Joseph County Office of the Prosecuting Attorney announced on Thursday, June 23, the arrest and conviction of a Sturgis man who used his computer to possess child sexually abusive material.
According to a press release, a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children led law enforcement officials to 24-year-old Adalberto (Jacob) Garcia, who was found guilty by jury after a two-day trial in St. Joseph County’s 45th Circuit Court.
Authorities say the tip was received from SnapChat in early April 2021, which was connected to the screen name “officialalpha-j”, which was tracked via internet ISP to 109 Susan Street in Sturgis.
Garcia was then contacted by police following the execution of search warrants to SnapChat and Charter Communications. The tip, combined with the search warrants and digital data collected from Garcia’s phone, PlayStation 5, and desktop computer sealed the case for a conviction.
Garcia was convicted of Using the Internet to Commit a Crime, and two counts of Aggravated Possession of Child Sexually Abusive Material, with sentencing scheduled for July 22.
He faces up to a maximum of over 20 years in prison as he is a habitual second offender.
Garcia was previously convicted of Criminal Sexual Conduct 4th Degree, and was on felony probation at the time of these offenses.
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