Dearborn Man Sent To Prison For Sexually Exploiting A Teen

DEARBORN, MI — A Dearborn man was sent to prison for 15 years Wednesday after he sought and obtained a sexually explicit image of a teen, federal officials said.

Anthony John-Hamernik Girard, 32, admitted that he requested a sexually explicit image from a 16-year-old and that he received that image. He also told the teen that he "kinda" wished that she was younger, federal officials said.

Police in Perrysburg, Ohio began investigating Girard after he began sending sexually explicit messages to a minor Girard believed was a 14-year-old girl, but was actually an undercover police officer, federal officials said.

Police also discovered that Girard had other contacts with minors, including telling a 13-year-old that she was “beautiful” before she told him that she wanted no further contact with him.

"A prior conviction that resulted in a designation as a sex offender did not prevent this offender from lurking online and exploiting a minor," U.S. Attorney Ison said. "This sentence demonstrates that recidivist offenders who engage in online exploitation will receive significant penalties to keep our children safe."