DETROIT – A former Metro Detroit doctor pleaded guilty Wednesday to a federal child pornography charge stemming from a multi-state investigation into the sexual exploitation of children.
Lincoln Erickson, a former medical resident at a Detroit hospital, pleaded guilty May 20 to receipt of child pornography. He is scheduled to be sentenced Sept. 15, 2026, and will be required to register as a sex offender.
Arrest tied to broader investigation
Erickson, of Farmington Hills, was one of four men arrested in connection with a large child pornography and sexual abuse case that began with the arrest of Brett Tooman in Toledo, Ohio.
On March 29, 2025, Toledo police took Tooman into custody after he allegedly traveled to the area to sexually abuse a 7-year-old girl and a 6-month-old infant he believed existed.
Tooman’s arrest led investigators to Jeremy Brian Tacon, Joshua Ronnebaum and Erickson, who allegedly shared explicit and sexually abusive materials with one another.
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FBI arrests Erickson at Detroit hospital
The FBI arrested Erickson on Dec. 10, 2025, at a Detroit hospital where he was working as a medical resident, after authorities reportedly discovered a conversation on Ronnebaum’s phone linking him to the case.
After his arrest, Erickson allegedly admitted receiving what he believed was AI‑generated child pornography from a man in Chicago.
He was denied bond.
Erickson and Ronnebaum allegedly spoke about wanting to travel to Thailand and sexually abusing children together.
“Love being a pedo,” read one text message.
Erickson reportedly shared a fantasy about having a relationship with a man where they would raise a child together that they would abuse and groom “from baby to adulthood.”
“Start them young,” read one message.
The FBI said Erickson shared in messages that he knows a father who allegedly allows him to sexually abuse the man’s 3-year-old son.
A Telegram chat on his phone also showed him requesting more videos and writing, “Bro, I love other pedophiles. So hot.”
Court hearings
During a Dec. 16, 2025, court hearing, prosecutors presented evidence of Erickson’s interactions with the father of three minors, including phone sex and in-person meetings, as well as disturbing messages regarding the children.
Erickson, who reportedly has a history of domestic violence and threatening behavior, allegedly attempted to impregnate an adult woman, described by the defense as his best friend.