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A Lake Linden man is facing child sex charges, following an investigation by the Michigan State Police.
Forty-three-year-old Erick John Alatalo was arraigned in 96th District Court in Marquette County Monday on charges of accosting a child for immoral purposes, child sexually abusive activity, and using a computer to commit a crime.
State police investigators say Alatalo initiated an online conversation June 4th with what he thought was an underage girl. She agreed to an in-person meeting for sex. The “girl” was actually an undercover state police trooper.
At the meeting site in Marquette Township Sunday, a female trooper served as a decoy. When Alatalo stepped out to meet her, he was arrested.
He is being held in the Marquette County jail.
Investigators are asking for anyone who may be aware of other potential victims or targets to contact the Michigan State Police Eighth District Headquarters in Marquette at (906) 225-7030.
The Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET), MSP Negaunee Post troopers and detectives, the MSP Canine Unit, and the Eighth District Computer Crimes Unit assisted with the investigation.
