Grand Rapids man charged with distribution of child pornography

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan – A man was arrested on multiple counts of sexual abuse of children, Michigan State Police said.

Steve Ritsema, a 69-year-old man from Grand Rapids, was arrested on one count of aggravated child sexual abuse, one count of aggravated possession of child sexual abuse material, one count of aggravated distribution/promotion of child sexual abuse material, and three counts of computer misuse to commit a crime.

He was arraigned on Wednesday, July 3.

Investigators found that Ritsema was communicating with people who created, viewed, shared and uploaded files containing sexually abusive child content online. He was arrested after digital evidence was seized from his home.

If convicted, he faces up to 70 years in prison.