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By Samantha Berlin
Writer, Trends
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A Chicago man was accused of secretly filming more than 100 children at various YMCAs around the city, according to new details released on Tuesday.
Michael Porter, 55, is accused of filming children between the ages of 5 and 17 inside YMCAs around Chicago from 2006 to 2020 and inappropriately touching at least two young boys inside the locker room.
In July 2021, the FBI announced that they would be charging Porter with seven counts of production and attempted production of child pornography, two counts of receipt of child pornography, and one count of possession of electronic devices containing child pornography, according to a media release.
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On Tuesday, it was revealed that Porter filmed the children in the bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers by sometimes leaving a recording device in a gym bag and placing it where children in the shower and locker room could be filmed, WMAQ-TV reported.
It is illegal to surreptitiously record an individual in a space with a reasonable expectation of privacy such as a locker room or bathroom. It is also illegal to distribute any footage without explicit permission from the individual.
A spokesperson from the YMCA of Metro Chicago told Newsweek that Porter was an active member of three YMCAs from 2006 until facilities shut down in March 2020: South Side YMCA, High Ridge YMCA, and Leaning Tower YMCA.
"We are disgusted and deeply saddened by the allegations that have been raised and the possibility this individual may have compromised Y members' and their children's and families' privacy or worse," the YMCA said.
Since being informed of the allegations against Porter, the YMCA said they have cooperated with authorities and are taking the necessary steps to ensure everyone's safety and well-being.
These steps included implementing recommendations from child welfare experts and Praesidium–an organization that works to prevent sexual misconduct against children and vulnerable individuals.
"As with all our members, Porter's name and information were regularly checked against the National Sex Offender Database but no records were found prior to the government's criminal complaint," the YMCA said.
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After federal agents arrested Porter last July, they seized four hard drives, a laptop, and a cellphone that all contained photos of minors including a child younger than 12, the indictment states.
Now the FBI is attempting to identify the victims recorded by Porter and is asking anyone with information to contact the FBI Chicago Field Office at 1-312-421-6700.
Each count of production of child pornography carries a minimum 15-year sentence in federal prison. Each receipt count is punishable up to 20 years, and each possession count is punishable by up to ten years.
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