Thomas Jerome Soetaert, 62, of Skandia and Ryan Scott Howard, 26, of Negaunee were arraigned after being charged with child sexually abusive activity, a 20-year felony; using a computer to commit a crime, a 20-year felony; accosting a child for immoral purposes, a 4-year felony; and using a computer to commit a crime, a 7-year felony.

The Marquette County Prosecutor’s Office earlier issued criminal felony charges against seven individuals as a result of a multiagency, undercover operation between Aug. 17 and 20 in Forsyth Township.

The operation targeted suspects who use internet dating and prostitution platforms for underage sex crimes.

All suspects who arrived at the operation location were told the age of the decoy officer was 15 years old, according to the prosecutor’s office.

Ryan Scott Howard

Four of the suspects, Dylan Abramson of Houghton, Vincent Roop of Newberry, James Peterson of Wallace and Hunter Trepanier of Gwinn, were arraigned on Aug. 18.

The arraignment for the other suspect is set for Monday.

The multiagency task force included the Marquette County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police, Genesee Human Oppression Strike Team from Genesee County, Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team and the Michigan Intelligence Operations Center.