GLADSTONE – The Michigan State Police (MSP) Computer Crimes Unit arrested a Gladstone man on multiple felony charges regarding possession of child sexually abusive material.

MSP released a statement saying that its Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force arrested Timothy Alphonse DeBone, 27, of Gladstone for child sexually abusive material – aggravated possession and using a computer to commit a crime.

According to the press release, DeBone’s arrest comes following an investigation where digital evidence was seized from his residence.

The investigation began when authorities learned that DeBone was viewing files of child sexually abusive material on the internet.

Debone was charged with three counts of child sexually abusive material – aggravated possession and three counts of using a computer to commit a crime. DeBone was arraigned in the 94th District Court on Tuesday, Jan. 7.

If convicted, DeBone faces up to 10 years in prison for the child sexually abusive material-aggravated possession and up to 20 years for using a computer to commit a crime. The MSP Computer Crimes Unit, ICAC Task Force was assisted by the MSP Gladstone post, the Delta County Sheriff’s Office, and the MSP Cyber Canine, Sig.

The MSP Computer Crimes Units encourages parents to talk to their children about safely using the internet. There are various resources to assist parents in keeping their children safe online including the the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children which provides a detailed list of resources on its website www.missingkids.org, The ICAC Task Force also provides resources at www.michigancac.com.

The MSP asks the public to report any possible child sexual exploitation to the CyberTipLine at www.missingkids.org/cybertipline.