GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A Battle Creek man has been named in a federal criminal complaint for allegedly sexually exploiting a child.
Matthew Andaluz, 44, is in custody and will have a detention hearing this Wednesday.
A local agent for the U.S. Department of Homeland security was investigating a series of 12 child-pornography images that had been submitted by federal agents from a registered sex offender in Tacoma, Washington. The images were being circulated amongst law enforcement to see if the locations of the photos could be identified.
Investigators were first able to determine the photos were taken with a specific camera between December 7, 2010 and January 17, 2011. The pictures allegedly showed a naked, prepubescent girl performing sex acts. The face of the girl was blurred out, but they were able to determine that the photos were taken in a home in Springfield, Michigan.
They say they were able to track the location to Andaluz and a rental home. They say the background of the photos matches the decor of the home.
Police searched Andaluz’s Battle Creek home last week and found a camera, hard drives, two sex toys and bedding, which they say was also in the photos. Police say he denied that he assaulted the girl, but did not deny allegations that he took the photos. The girl has been identified and told police she is the girl in the photos. She told police she was between the ages of 10 and 13 when they took place. Police say that the girl told them that Andaluz was sharing the photos on the internet.
