ANGOLA, Ind. (WLKI)- A Michigan investigation into online child sexual abuse material resulted in a felony child molestation charge against a southern Michigan man in Steuben County, according to reporting by The Herald Republican.
Edward L. Cogswell, 37, of the 100 block of Dwight Street in Camden, Michigan, was arrested Thursday at the Steuben County Sheriff's Office and charged with Level 4 felony child molestation, court records show.
According to The Herald Republican, a probable cause affidavit filed in Steuben Superior Court states that the Michigan State Police interviewed Cogswell on May 29 during an investigation involving child sexual abuse material. Investigators later referred the case to the Indiana State Police after Cogswell reportedly admitted to touching a 7-year-old boy in Fremont approximately one month earlier.
The affidavit alleges that Cogswell told investigators he participated in internet chat rooms involving sexual conversations about underage children and used the encrypted messaging applications Signal and Telegram to exchange images.
According to court documents cited by The Herald Republican, investigators alleged that Cogswell shared photographs he had taken of the child's feet and discussed touching the child through his underwear during online conversations.
The child was asleep in his mother's bed at the time of the alleged incident. According to the affidavit, Cogswell told investigators, "He started waking up as soon as I ... I just ran away."
Court records also allege that Cogswell admitted using artificial intelligence applications to alter photographs by digitally removing clothing before sharing the images online.
Michigan court records show Cogswell has been a registered sex offender in Hillsdale County since pleading guilty in 2009 to a felony conviction for possession of child sexually abusive material.
If convicted of the Indiana charge, Cogswell could face up to 12 years in prison and a fine of as much as $10,000 under Indiana law. The Michigan investigation remains ongoing.
The charge is an allegation, and Cogswell is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.