Livingston County Man Indicted for Manufacturing Child Pornography

Matthew Lewis Colston, 48, of Livingston County, was indicted by a federal grand jury in Flint on charges of manufacturing child pornography, use of a facility in interstate commerce to entice a minor, and transfer of obscene matter to a minor, announced United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade. McQuade was joined in the announcement by Robert D. Foley, III, FBI Special Agent in Charge, and Kriste Kibbey Etue, Director of the Michigan State Police.

The 10-count indictment charges Colston with seven counts of manufacturing child pornography the dates of which extend over a five-month period. The indictment further alleges that for approximately one year, Colston used a cellular telephone to attempt to persuade, induce, and entice a minor to engage in sexual, activity which, under the laws of the state of Michigan, could be charged as first- and/or second-degree criminal sexual conduct. The indictment further charges Colston with using the same cell phone to transfer obscene material to a minor.

“These despicable crimes victimize and exploit innocent children. Through the SEMCAC Task Force, the FBI is committed to the arrest and prosecution of criminals who engage in such deplorable, heinous behavior,” said Special Agent in Charge Robert D. Foley, III, FBI Detroit Division.

“The Michigan State Police is committed to working with our federal and local law enforcement partners involved with the SEMCAC Task Force to protect children from being exploited in the sstate of Michigan,” said Michigan State Police Captain Monica Yesh. “The sexual assault of children and the production of child pornography are horrific crimes. The perpetrators who commit these acts of violence will be vigorously sought out and brought to justice.”

If convicted for manufacturing child pornography, the defendant faces a minimum sentence of 15 years and up to 30 years’ imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $250,000 on each count. If convicted of using a phone to entice a minor, Colston faces a minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $250,000 on each count. Transferring of obscene material to a minor carries a maximum penalty of 10 years and/or a fine of up to $250,000.

An indictment is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. A defendant is entitled to a fair trial in which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The case was investigated by the FBI, Michigan State Police, Livingston County Prosecutor’s Office, and the Southeast Michigan Crimes Against Children Task Force.