A Mobile Alabama man who bonded out earlier this year on state child pornography charges is back behind bars again, this time after being arrested in Michigan. Thirty year old Tyler McIlwain was initially released in February after posting more than $225,000 bond, a deal that banned him from leaving Alabama, using most electronic devices, or having contact with minors. Despite those restrictions, newly filed documents released November 25 allege McIlwain traveled out of state to Michigan where federal agents moved in and arrested him on October 2 after a grand jury indictment in September.
The federal indictment is broader and more serious than the original state counts. McIlwain is now charged with ten federal offenses including sexual exploitation of a minor, attempted sexual exploitation, attempted enticement, receiving and distributing child sexual abuse material, and possession of child pornography. Federal prosecutors are seeking to detain him permanently, arguing that he poses a danger to the community and is a clear flight risk. The Mobile County District Attorney has also filed to revoke his bond entirely after he left Alabama without permission.
The case began when investigators traced child sexual abuse material to a Snapchat account connected to McIlwain’s floral business Tyler Matthew Creations LLC. A detective later testified that more than one hundred images and videos were recovered, including content involving victims appearing as young as three months old. McIlwain is currently housed at the Escambia County Jail in Brewton, Alabama on the federal charges.
His attorney offered no comment.
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