December 14, 2007

            LANSING - Attorney General Mike Cox and the Michigan State Police announced today the arrest of Matthew James Beaujean, formerly of Harrison Township and now residing in Alaska, for using the Internet to solicit a minor for sexual acts and sending a minor pornographic images.

            "The cold mountains of Alaska cannot shield an Internet predator from the long arm of the law," said Cox. "This case exemplifies the ability and reach of law enforcement when working together. I want to thank the Michigan State Police and the Alaska State Police for their cooperation in arresting this predator."

            Alaska State Police arrested 28-year old Beaujean based on a Michigan Warrant issued from the 41B District Court in Harrison Township. Prior to moving to Alaska this fall, the Complaint alleges Beaujean had been communicating online from his residence in Harrison Township with an undercover agent from the Michigan Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force posing as a 13-year old girl. After the Attorney General's Child and Public Protection prosecutors issued the arrest warrant, the ICAC investigators learned that Beaujean had relocated to Alaska. The Michigan State Police Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force members enlisted the Alaska State Police to secure Beaujean's arrest.

            On Friday, November 30, Beaujean was arrested on a fugitive warrant issued in Alaska, based upon the Michigan felony warrant. Beaujean was arraigned on the Alaskan fugitive warrant on December 1, 2007, in the Alaskan District Court at Kenai, before Judge Jennifer K. Wells. Beaujean refused to waive extradition to face the Michigan charges so the Attorney General's office will begin extradition proceedings. Judge Wells set bond for Beaujean at $25,000 and Beaujean will be back in court for a hearing scheduled for January 31, 2007, again in the Kenai, Alaska, District Court.

            "This is an excellent example of cooperation and leveraging our law enforcement resources both here in Michigan and in Alaska," said Lt Tom Kish of the Michigan State Police Computer Crime Unit and the Internet Crimes Against Children task force. "The close coordination with the Michigan Attorney General really made this arrest, arraignment, and extradition process very easy."

            Parents are encouraged to check their children's "buddy lists" for the screen name Beaujean used including "matt_beaujean1978." If they believe their child had contact with Beaujean, parents should contact the Attorney General's office at (313) 456-0180.

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

            Since 2003, Cox's Child and Public Protection Unit has arrested 150 Internet sexual predators. Attorney General Cox encourages parents to visit www.michigan.gov/ag for tips on safe Internet usage for children. Citizens can also report suspected Internet child predators via the Report Internet Abuses Against Children link or by calling the Child and Public Protection Unit at (313) 456-0180.

            The Michigan Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force is operated by the Michigan State Police and is comprised of local and federal law enforcement officers.

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