A former VP at Mid-America Reformed Seminary has been handed a 15-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to distributing child sex abuse material.
Warning: this article contains sensitive subject matters.
Michael Deckinga, 42, who is married with seven children, was arrested last year and charged with distributing CSAM. According to authorities, his crimes went back to at least 2020 and involved him operating up to 10 online accounts.
Investigators discovered more than 600 images, often depicting toddlers and babies “portrayed in sadistic or masochistic conduct or other depictions of violence.” hile his lawyer asked for five years, prosecutors requested 19 years, and received the bulk of their ask.
Along with the prison sentence, he will receive 15 years of supervised release and was ordered to pay $50,000 in restitution to the victims.
Prior to his sentencing, his wife asked for mercy, telling an Indiana newspaper:“Mike says he’s very sorry and that he would never think about hurting any of our littles. We just want him back home. We all love him, and want him back home.”
