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Ex-Firefighter Gets 25 Years In Prison In Child Porn Case Involving 12-Year-Old Girl

COLE
Chad Alan Cole (Booking photo)

DETROIT (WWJ) - A former Holly firefighter has been sentenced to 25 years in federal prison after being convicted in the production of child porn.

According to  U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade, 45-year-old Chad Cole befriended a 12-year-old girl online and talked her into sending sexually explicit pictures of herself.

Evidence established that Cole, who had previously been convicted of distributing obscene material to children, met a 12 year-old girl from Idaho online. Chatting with the girl over the course of several months, Cole eventually convinced her to take nude photos and videos to share with him.

Prosecutors said Cole also sent images and videos of himself masturbating to the child, and convinced her to engage in sexually explicit conduct over the video chat program "Skype."

After his arrest, McQuade said, Cole admitted to engaging in similar behavior with 10-20 other minors.

Cole previously worked as a firefighter for the Village of Holly and a 911 dispatcher for the City of Auburn Hills before being terminated as a result of his prior sex offense.

Authorities talking to WWJ last year credited the bust to a vigilant mom who called police.

This case was initially investigated by the FBI and local authorities in Lewiston, Idaho. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin M. Mulcahy of the General Crimes Unit.

U.S. Attorney Barbara L. McQuade

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