Denver man arrested for producing and transporting child pornography

DENVER — A Denver man was arrested last week based on a Criminal Complaint for producing and transporting child pornography.

This arrest was announced by the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Colorado, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Michael Yellowhorse, born in 1987, from Denver, Colorado, appeared Dec. 29 before U.S. Magistrate Judge Boyd N. Boland for a preliminary hearing and detention hearing. Magistrate Judge Boland found during the preliminary hearing that probable cause existed that Yellowhorse committed the crimes alleged in the Criminal Complaint. The Magistrate Judge then ordered the defendant released on bond. The government is considering filing a request for emergency stay of the release in order to obtain a review of the conditions of the defendant's release.

Yellowhorse made his initial appearance before a magistrate judge Dec. 23, the day he was arrested. At that hearing, he was advised of his rights and the charges pending against him. The preliminary hearing and detention hearing occurred Dec. 29.

According to the Criminal Complaint, Yellowhorse is charged with two counts of producing child pornography and one count of transporting child pornography. During the hearings, evidence was presented that Yellowhorse was investigated for posting images to a photo-sharing website popular among individuals interested in trading child pornography. Additionally, evidence was presented showing that the defendant sent child pornography to an undercover investigator in Australia. Further investigation, to include preliminary analysis of the defendant's cell phone and computer, revealed that the defendant created the child pornography he sent to the investigator in Australia.

If convicted, Yellowhorse faces not less than 15 years, not more than 30 years in federal prison, and a fine of not more than $250,000 for each of the two counts of producing child pornography.  He faces not less than five years and not more than 20 years in prison, and up to a $250,000 fine for transporting child pornography.

This case is being investigated by HSI. The defendant is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alecia Riewerts, District of Colorado.

These charges are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

A Criminal Complaint is a probable cause charging document. Anyone accused of committing a federal felony crime has a Constitutional right to be indicted by a federal grand jury.

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 2,000 individuals were arrested by HSI special agents under this initiative.

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. 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.