ALLEGAN (WKZO-AM) — An Allegan official who faces sex charges involving children has waived his right to a preliminary exam and will proceed to trial.
Matthew Gillies is still technically the Allegan District Fire Chief but he has also been suspended without pay because of the serious charges.
State Police began an investigation after they were notified by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children that salacious pictures had turned up on Flickr accounts depicting Gillies with children.
State Police investigators also claim that Gillies has confessed to the five charges he faces, including the manufacture and possession of child pornography.
It’s alleged that some photos were taken at his home and others at the fire station.
There could be several reasons why Gillies decided to waive preliminary examination. That could include wanting to keep the details of the case against him out of the media.
It could also mean that a plea bargain is being negotiated, which would be the typical way these cases end.
