ALGER COUNTY, Mich. (WZMQ) – A Kingsford man will spend up to 20 years in prison after an undercover sting operation targeting online predators.
Matthew Clarence Cooley accepted a plea deal of “no contest” on Aug. 27 to charges of child abusive communication activity and using a computer to commit a crime. The Alger County Sheriff’s Office says Cooley was sentenced to serve two to 20 years in prison.
This stems from an incident in March 2023. Cooley was initially arrested on charges of child abusive communication activity, using a computer to commit a crime, and possession of methamphetamine as the result of an undercover operation. The Alger County Sheriff’s Office sought to target predators intending to commit sexual acts with minors. Cooley responded to the undercover officers and traveled from Kingsford to Munising with the intent of having sexual intercourse with a minor. Cooley was arrested when he arrived at the location.
The Alger County Sheriff’s Office has conducted several of these operations with much success. However, Matthew Cooley was the first subject that was issued a prison sentence as a result of the operation.
