Yesterday, Attorney General investigators arrested Sullivan, 39, of Pleasant Ridge, Michigan.  Sullivan is alleged to have been chatting online with who he thought was a 14-year-old boy that he met through a post to an online classified.  The Pleasant Ridge defendant allegedly engaged in graphic sexual conversation with an undercover agent and propositioned the agent, who was posing as a 14-year-old boy, to meet him for sex.  On May 21, 2007, Sullivan was arrested at his home in Pleasant Ridge after he allegedly appeared at a public location to meet the minor for sex.

Mangal was arraigned later this morning in Redford Township's 17th District Court, before Judge Charlotte L. Wirth, on 1 count of Child Sexually Abusive Activity, a 20-year felony; and 1 count of Using the Internet to Communicate with a Minor to Commit Child Sexually Abusive Activity, a 20-year felony.  Judge Charlotte L. Wirth set a 10% bond at $1,000,000, and Mangal will be back in court for preliminary examination scheduled for June 5, 2007, at 8:30 a.m.

Sullivan was arraigned this afternoon in 43rd District Court in Ferndale, before Judge  Joseph Longo, on 1 count of Child Sexually Abusive Activity, a 20-year felony; and 1 count of Using the Internet to Communicate with a Minor to Commit Child Sexually Abusive Activity, also a 20-year felony.  Judge Longo set a $10,000 personal bond and Sullivan will be back in court for preliminary examination scheduled for May 31, 2007 at 3:00 p.m.

Parents are encouraged to check their children's "buddy lists" and other online communication for the screen names these individuals used.  Sullivan used the screen name " This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it " and Mangal went by "hotstang70."  If they believe their child had contact with Sullivan or Mangal, parents should contact the Attorney General's office at (313) 456-0180.

A criminal charge is merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.   

Since its restructuring, Michigan's Child and Public Protection Unit has arrested 134 Internet for sexual predators.  Attorney General Cox encourages parents to visit www.michigan.gov/ag tips on safe Internet usage for children.  Citizens can also report suspected Internet child predators via the Report Internet Abuses Against Children link, or by calling the Child and Public Protection Unit at (313) 456-0180.