ISHPEMING, Mich, (WZMQ) – The Marquette County Prosecutor’s Office today arraigned James Nicholas Schwarten on a 51-count arrest warrant resulting from an investigation conducted by the Ishpeming Police Department and assisted by the Michigan State Police Computer Crimes Unit.
Schwarten faces 25 felony counts of Child Sexually Abusive Activity of an Aggravated Nature, each carrying a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison, and 26 felony counts of Using a Computer to Commit a Crime, each carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
On Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, the Marquette County Prosecutor’s Office issued a 51-count arrest warrant for Schwarten, who was arrested and lodged at the Marquette County Jail, where he is being held on a $510,000 bond.
On Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023, just before 2:00 a.m., officers with the Ishpeming Police Department responded to 412 E Division St. to a report of a 32-year-old male with an underage female.
Upon arriving, officers found two people on scene: Schwarten, who resides at the address, and 15-year-old female who did not reside at the address. Her name will not be released due to her being a minor.
The on-scene investigation ultimately led to Shwarten being arrested for three counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the 3rd Degree.
Schwarten posted his $3,000 bond and was released on Monday, Oct. 23, 2023.
During the investigation, James’s cell phone, which was confiscated on-scene, was found to contain Child Sexually Abusive Material.
Subsequently, a search warrant was sought for additional devices that were observed while officers were on-scene. Once granted, officers from the Ishpeming Police Department, assisted by investigators from the Michigan State Police Computer Crimes Unit, executed their search and collection on Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023.
As a result of the search warrant, several more electronic devices were located, confiscated and discovered to contain additional Child Sexually Abusive Material.
Due to ongoing litigation, any requests for comment or additional information can be directed to the Marquette County Prosecutor’s Office.
