Grand Rapids, MI – A sworn federal affidavit alleges that a U.S. Airman assigned to the 174th Attack Wing traveled from New York to Traverse City, Michigan, to engage in illegal sexual conduct with a 13-year-old girl.
Lucas John Pobutkiewicz is charged in a criminal complaint filed February 11, 2026, in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Michigan. The complaint alleges violations of 18 U.S.C. § 2251(a), sexual exploitation of a child, and 18 U.S.C. § 2423(b), traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.
The affidavit, submitted by Homeland Security Investigations in support of an arrest warrant, states it was filed “for the limited purpose of obtaining an arrest warrant” and outlines the investigative steps taken by federal and local law enforcement.
According to the affidavit, the investigation began November 14, 2025, when the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office received “a complaint concerning a pregnant 13-year-old minor victim in Traverse City, Michigan.” The minor’s mother reportedly told investigators the father of the unborn child was possibly someone named “Lucas,” whom she had never met.
Investigators conducted a forensic analysis of the minor’s cellphone after her father provided written consent. The affidavit states, “The analysis led to the discovery of electronic communications between an adult suspect from New York… and the minor victim.” It further alleges the minor told the suspect she was 13 years old via Snapchat.
The affidavit outlines evidence showing Pobutkiewicz allegedly traveled to Michigan October 24 and 25, 2025. Hotel records from the Parkshore Resort confirmed a room reservation in his name with a check-in date of October 24 and check-out October 25. Surveillance footage reportedly depicts him at the front desk checking into the room.
License plate reader data was also obtained. According to the affidavit, the vehicle’s plate was captured at multiple locations along the route of travel, consistent with his journey to and presence in Traverse City.
The affidavit also says a sexual encounter between Pobutkiewicz and MV-1 was recorded on video and filmed by him. “During the video, the male pulls MV-1’s head backwards via her hair with his left hand and simultaneously exposes her face to the camera. The adult male appears to have produced this video,” according to the affidavit.
Court documents filed in New York also describe text messages in which prosecutors say Pobutkiewicz told the girl, “you belong to me,” and allegedly maintained access to several of her social media accounts.
Pobutkiewicz told investigators he has had sex with about 300 people, including some who he found out later were minors, prosecutors said in federal court in Syracuse on Friday, February 20, 2026.
If convicted on the sexual exploitation charge alone, federal law carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison and up to 30 years, along with potential fines of up to $250,000, supervised release ranging from 5 years to life, mandatory restitution, special financial assessments, and sex offender registration. The transportation charge carries a potential maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
Pobutkiewicz is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
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