A 28-year-old Australian schoolteacher has been arrested for possessing child abuse material following an investigation into a 2023 case in which an East Bay Township girl was receiving inappropriate messages from adult men on social media.

According to the Grand Traverse Sheriff's Office, deputies reported to an East Bay Township residence in October 2023 in response to a report of a juvenile female being contacted inappropriately. The case was assigned to a detective with "enhanced specialized training in forensic computer crimes" who works as an affiliate at the Michigan State Police Computer Crime Unit, according to the Sheriff's Office. That unit is associated with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

"The detective completed many search warrants and examinations on devices for digital evidence in addition to receiving investigative assistance from Homeland Security Investigations (in) Sault Ste. Marie," according to the Sheriff's Office. 

Through a joint effort with Australian Federal Police, a 28-year-old male schoolteacher from Australia was identified as the suspect. The man was recently charged in Australia for possessing child abuse material and is awaiting his next court date, according to the Sheriff's Office.