A 44-year-old mid-Michigan man is accused of trying to meet minors and solicit sexual images.
On the morning of Saturday, March 7, Gladwin man Richard Shank, 44, was arrested following a multi-day online predator investigation led by a vigilante group.
The investigation was initiated by the nonprofit organization “Bikers Against Predators,” a group of sexual abuse survivors who expose online child sexual predators. They contacted the Clare County Sheriff’s Office after communicating with Shank for several days prior. During this time, Shank was communicating with two decoys who he believed were 12- and 14-year-old girls, the sheriff’s office said.
While communicating with the decoys, Shank allegedly requested the decoys send nude images of themselves, and attempted to arrange in-person meetings, police said.
Shank was confronted at his residence by the Bikers Against Predators group, and law enforcement was contacted. A sergeant with the Clare County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and conducted an interview with Shank. Based on the interview, as well as the evidence gathered through the investigation, he was placed under arrest.
Shank was lodged in the Clare County Jail on numerous felony charges. He was arraigned in the 80th District Court, and his bond was set at $20,000 cash or surety.
His charges include:
- Two counts of using a computer to commit a crime
- Two counts of using a computer and communicating with another to commit a crime
- Two counts of child sexually abusive activity
- Two counts of accosting children for immoral purposes.
He remains in custody, and the case remains under investigation. Additional charges may be forthcoming, authorities said.
