LOS ANGELES
A Placer County resident allegedly arranged to have sex with minors at a fictitious hotel party, according to authorities.
Michael Batchelor, 30, of Placer County, is charged in a criminal complaint with one count of attempted production of child pornography, one count of attempted enticement of a minor to engage in illegal criminal sexual activity, and one count of distribution and possession of child pornography.
He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
According to the complaint, prior to the encounter, Batchelor allegedly planned for what kind of children he would have sex with and what he would do to them. Batchelor was allegedly looking for minors who were in the age range of “6 to 14” and had “blonde” hair.
Batchelor allegedly expressed interest in producing child pornography of the encounter.
Prosecutors claim that Batchelor also provided images and videos of child pornography, including scenes in which adult men are allegedly sexually abusing children who appear to be younger than 10 years old.
On July 17, Batchelor allegedly traveled to Los Angeles intending to have sex and produce child pornography with three minor girls, two of whom were under the age of 10, while he was visiting family, officials stated.
Batchelor had allegedly brought $200 to pay for the hotel room where the sexual activity was supposed to occur, along with a recent STD test.
Law enforcement detained Batchelor shortly after he arrived at a prearranged location close to the location of the fictitious hotel party.
“Yesterday’s arrest once again sends a clear message to child predators that they are now the prey and that this abhorrent criminal activity will not be tolerated,” said HSI Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang. “HSI Los Angeles and our partners will do everything in our power to protect the children of our communities.”
Batchelor is presumed innocent unless proven guilty
If convicted of all charges, Batchelor faces up to life in prison.
Homeland Security Investigations and New Jersey State Police investigated this matter.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Catharine A. Richmond and Chris M. Brunwin of the Violent and Organized Crime Section are prosecuting this matter.