Eaton Rapids Brothers Found Guilty Of Receipt And Possession Of Child Pornography

          GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN - United States Attorney Andrew Birge announced today that a federal jury in Kalamazoo found Adam Christopher Collard, 35, and Joseph Alan Collard, 31, both of Eaton Rapids, guilty of multiple child pornography charges. The jury convicted Adam Collard of receiving and possessing child pornography, and Adam Collard of attempting to receive and actually receiving and possessing child pornography. Adam Collard faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years and a maximum sentence of 40 years in federal prison. He has a prior state conviction for possession of child pornography. Joseph Collard, on the other hand, faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.

          In September of 2015, the FBI executed federal search warrants at the Collard residence in Eaton Rapids, Michigan, where the brothers resided with their parents, and at a campsite in Grand Haven, Michigan, where Adam Collard was camping at the time. A forensic examination of over 30 electronic media devices seized by the FBI revealed that Adam Collard and Joseph Collard used the internet to download images and videos of child pornography onto computers that they solely owned. The FBI also located a document titled, "The Pedophile Sex Manual" on Adam Collard’s laptop.

          After two days of hearing testimony and seeing evidence admitted at trial, the jury convicted the brothers on all charges against them. The defendants are in federal custody pending their sentencing date on September 23, 2019 in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

         This case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, county prosecutor’s offices, the Internet Crimes Against Children task force (ICAC), federal, state, and local law enforcement are working closely together to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children. The partners in Project Safe Childhood work to educate local communities about the dangers of online child exploitation, and to teach children how to protect themselves. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit the following website: wwww.projectsafechildhood.gov. Individuals with information or concerns about possible child exploitation should contact local law enforcement officials.

          The FBI conducted this investigation. The case was tried by Assistant United States Attorneys Alexis M. Sanford and Daniel T. McGraw.