A Flint-area man was arrested after an FBI investigation allegedly found he attempted to arrange travel to meet minors for illegal sexual activity, according to a federal criminal complaint filed in the Eastern District of Michigan.
Zachary Kenneth Crutchfield is accused of attempted travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, and attempted sexual exploitation of children.
Undercover investigation
According to an affidavit filed in U.S. District Court, an undercover FBI agent communicated online with a person investigators identified as Crutchfield between July 31 and Aug. 7.
The affidavit says the undercover agent presented a scenario involving minors and discussed plans to meet in Tennessee.
Investigators allege Crutchfield expressed interest in engaging in sexual activity with the purported minors and discussed travel arrangements.
The FBI affidavit states the person communicating with the undercover agent used the online name “Breeder Bull” and participated in online groups that investigators identified as being used to distribute child sexual abuse material.
Identifying the suspect
Investigators say they connected the online account to Crutchfield through photographs, identifying information and other records. An open-source records search identified a potential employer in Flint, according to the affidavit.
On Aug. 8, an FBI agent conducted surveillance at an address in Grand Blanc and at the Flint workplace identified in the affidavit. Investigators later observed Crutchfield leave the workplace and arrested him.
Evidence recovered
Following the arrest, investigators recovered Crutchfield’s phone and obtained a search warrant, according to the affidavit.
An FBI agent said an initial review of the device showed the Signal messaging application and United Airlines application were installed.
The affidavit states investigators also found an airline reservation in Crutchfield’s name that was consistent with travel plans discussed during the undercover investigation.
Case details
The federal complaint was signed Aug. 8 by FBI Special Agent Justin M. Thompson and sworn before U.S. Magistrate Judge Anthony P. Patti.
The case is being prosecuted in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
The complaint identifies Assistant U.S. Attorney Rawsthorne as the prosecutor assigned to the case.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Detroit Division, Flint Resident Agency, as part of the Northeast Michigan Trafficking and Exploitation Crimes Task Force, according to the affidavit.