SAULT STE. MARIE — Two men from the eastern Upper Peninsula are facing charges of sexually abusive activity involving children. The Michigan State Police (MSP) Computer Crimes Unit, Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force is announced the arrest of Mason Lee Charles Harger-Laporte, 29 of Rudyard and 27-year-old Wyatt McMahon of Sault Ste. Marie for child sexually abuse activity – aggravated and using a computer to commit a crime.

Harger-Laporte was arrested following an investigation which was initiated when it was learned he was receiving child sexually abusive material online. A search of his residence resulted in digital evidence being seized, and the activity was confirmed.

Harger-Laporte was charged with two counts of possession of child sexually abusive activity – aggravated and one count of using a computer to commit a crime. Harger-Laporte was arraigned in the 91st District Court of Chippewa County on Thursday. He was released on a $25,000 cash bond with conditions including no contact with anyone under 18 and that he does not use the internet on any electronic device.

McMahon was charged with three counts of aggravated possession of child sexually abusive material and one count of using a computer to commit a crime.He was arraigned in the 91st District Court of Chippewa County on Wednesday. He was released on a $25,000 cash bond with conditions including no contact with anyone under 18 and that he does not use the internet on any electronic device.

The MSP Computer Crimes Unit encourages parents to speak to their children and family members about safe use of the internet. There are many resources available to assist in keeping people safe online. The Michigan ICAC Task Force provides a comprehensive list of resources on their website at http://www.michigan.gov/ICAC. If you have information regarding possible child sexual exploitation, report it to the CyberTipLine at http://www.missingkids.org/cybertipline

State police remind the public that defendants are considered innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law. If convicted, Harger-Laporte faces up to 25 years in prison while McMahon faces up to ten years in prison for each count of aggravated possession of child sexually abusive material, and up to ten years in prison for using a computer to commit a crime.