(WWJ) — An Oakland County man has been handed a lengthy prison sentence for sexually exploiting children for the better part of a decade.
Jeremy McCallum of Holly was sentenced Tuesday to 85 years in federal prison and if released he would be ordered to be supervised for an additional 15 years.
U.S. Attorney Dawn Ison made the announcement Wednesday, saying McCallum committed “monstrous crimes.”
“This prosecution and sentence should send a strong message to child predators: you will suffer severe consequences if you harm our children,” Ison said, per a press release.
After years of litigation, McCallum pleaded guilty in June to all charges in the indictment, which included 10 counts of the sexual exploitation of a child and one count of possession of child pornography.
In late January 2020 authorities searched McCallum’s home for child sexual abusive material and found hard copies and digital files depicting “years-long, horrific sexual abuse of three minor children.”
Authorities say he abused one minor female for “the better part of a decade,” documenting his abuse of her on VHS tape, on his cell phone and in Polaroid pictures.
McCallum abused another young girl when she was an infant and recorded it on VHS tape and his cell phone, according to Ison’s office. An FBI agent also found a VHS tape showing McCallum sexually abusing a minor male.
Authorities did not release the ages of the children he abused or how he knew the children.
"The despicable acts of sexual exploitation, especially against children, are amongst the most horrific crimes investigated by our office," said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. "The sentencing of Jeremy McCallum is a direct result of the collaborative efforts between the Michigan State Police and the FBI, Oakland County Resident Agency. This sentencing sends a clear and stern warning to those who believe they can prey on our most vulnerable population and evade justice.”
Gibson called the sentence “a crucial step in the healing process for those victimized by Mr. McCallum's deplorable and heinous actions."
This case was investigated by the FBI and the Michigan State Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Rawsthorne and Tara Hindelang.