February 28, 2007

            LANSING - Attorney General Mike Cox today announced today that a Wayne County jury has convicted Randall Raar, 59, of Lincoln Park on all 21 felony counts brought against him in a case dealing mainly with child pornography. 

            "I will bring the full power of the law to bear upon those who engage in the possession of child pornography," Cox said.  "The child porn industry exists only to serve the perverted appetite of those who crave this despicable material."

            These charges were the result of an extensive joint investigation between the Attorney General's office and the Michigan State Police.  Based upon a search warrant executed on Raar's Lincoln Park home, Raar was charged with: 16 counts of Possession of Child Pornography, each a 4-year felony; 3 counts of Using a Computer to Possess Sexually Abusive Material, each a 10-year felony; Felon in Possession of a Firearm, a 5-year felony; and Felony Firearm, a 2-year felony. 

            During the execution of this search warrant, Police made the startling discovery of a secret room in the basement of Raar's home as well as child pornography hidden behind a false wall of the home.  Raar is set to be sentenced on these charges on March 16, 2007, at 9:00 a.m. before the Judge Colombo in the Third Circuit Court for the County of Wayne. 

            This investigation also led to the discovery of additional evidence which resulted in separate charges filed by Cox against Raar in the 22nd Circuit Court in Washtenaw County.  In that case, Raar is charged with 2 counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the 1^st Degree, along with Felony Firearm.  Raar is awaiting trial on this case and, if convicted, could face up to life in prison. 

            A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.  

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