Indiana man charged with coercing a minor to produce child pornography

DETROIT, Mic. (WTHI) - Richard Leon Finkbiner, 39, of Brazil, Ind was charged today in a criminal complaint filed in the Eastern District of Michigan with inducing and coercing a minor to produce child pornography that was then transported in interstate commerce, announced United States Attorney Barbara L. McQuade.

Joining in the announcement were Special Agent in Charge Andrew G. Arena, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Sheriff Michael Bouchard, Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.

“Parents and children need to be aware that child predators use the Internet to harm children,” McQuade said. “We are grateful that alert law enforcement investigators were able to intervene in this case.”

FBI Special Agent in Charge Arena said, “"These heinous acts targeting children illustrate the dangers that can exist over the internet. We stand shoulder to shoulder with our law enforcement partners committed to preventing these crimes and arresting those predators."

Sheriff Bouchard stated, "I'm proud of the young victim that had the courage to share his story with family who brought it to my Sheriff's investigators. As a result, a disgusting predator is off the street."

According to the affidavit on two occasions in February, 2012, Finkbiner is alleged to have coerced a fourteen-year old minor boy to engage in sexually explicit conduct which was then captured with a webcam.

The fourteen-year old victim in this case made contact with Finkbiner through the Internet on a video chat website. It is further alleged that Finkbiner told the minor victim that if he did not follow Finkbiner’s instructions the videos would be posted online to pornographic websites.

It was after these threats that the minor victim’s family became aware and notified the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.

If convicted on these charges, Finkbiner faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and a maximum penalty of up to life.

Finkbiner is currently in federal custody in Indiana were he faces similar charges.

This case was brought to the attention of the Federal Bureau of Investigation by investigators of the Oakland County Sheriff’s Office.

A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Trial cannot be held on felony charges in a complaint. When the investigation is completed a determination will be made whether to seek a felony indictment.