Arizona man sentenced to 20 years in prison for sexual exploitation of a minor
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. – A sushi chef in a family-owned Yavapai County restaurant, who was convicted of one count of sexually exploiting a minor, has been sentenced to 20 years in prison and a lifetime of supervised release, following a probe by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Navajo County Sheriff’s Office.
Michael Bluhm, 34, of Show Low, was also sentenced March 14 to 3 ½ years in prison for attempted manufacture of a narcotic drug. According to the HSI special agents who executed the state search and arrest warrants in the case, Bluhm was in possession of tens of thousands of graphic and disturbing images of child pornography, which he was sharing via a peer-to-peer website.
“As this case makes clear, HSI will use all of the tools and authorities at its disposal to bring dangerous child predators like this defendant to justice,” said Matthew C. Allen, special agent in charge for HSI Phoenix. “Fortunately, this lengthy sentence virtually assures he won’t be able to harm any additional victims.”
This investigation was conducted under HSI’s Operation Predator, an international initiative to protect children from sexual predators. Since the launch of Operation Predator in 2003, HSI has arrested more than 12,000 individuals for crimes against children, including the production and distribution of online child pornography, traveling overseas for sex with minors, and sex trafficking of children. In fiscal year 2014, more than 2,300 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative and more than 1,000 victims identified or rescued.
HSI encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free Tip Line at 1-866-DHS-2-ICE or by completing its online tip form. Both are staffed around the clock by investigators. From outside the U.S. and Canada, callers should dial 802-872-6199. Hearing impaired users can call TTY 802-872-6196. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, via its toll-free 24-hour hotline, 1-800-THE-LOST.
For additional information about wanted suspected child predators, download HSI’s Operation Predator smartphone app or visit the online suspect alerts page. HSI is a founding member and current chair of the Virtual Global Taskforce, an international alliance of law enforcement agencies and private industry sector partners working together to prevent and deter online child sexual abuse.
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