A Hammond, Indiana man has been sentenced to over 21 years in federal prison after being convicted of distributing and possessing child pornography. Michael Swiger, 41, received a sentence of 262 months in prison, followed by a lifetime of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $49,000 in restitution to the victims.
The sentencing was handed down by United States District Court Judge Gretchen S. Lund after a three-day jury trial found Swiger guilty on both counts. According to court documents, Swiger distributed videos containing child sexual abuse material via a social media application on April 4, 2022, and possessed similar material the following day.
“Today’s sentence stands as a warning to all those who believe distributing and collecting images and videos of the sexual abuse of children will be ignored or tolerated,” said Acting United States Attorney M. Scott Proctor. “My office, in partnership with federal, state, and local agencies will aggressively investigate, prosecute, and seek restitution from anyone who victimizes the most vulnerable members of our community.”
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) played a key role in uncovering Swiger’s activities. “This case demonstrates the unwavering commitment of Homeland Security Investigations to pursue justice for the most vulnerable members of our society—our children,” said HSI Chicago Special Agent in Charge Matthew J. Scarpino. “What began as a narcotics investigation quickly revealed the defendant’s involvement in the heinous crime of child exploitation. Thanks to the collaborative efforts of HSI Minneapolis, HSI Chicago/Hammond, and our local law enforcement partners, we were able to uncover the full scope of the defendant’s criminal activities and bring him to justice. This conviction sends a clear message: HSI will relentlessly pursue those who exploit children and will use every resource available to ensure they are held accountable for their actions.”
The investigation involved multiple agencies including Homeland Security Investigations offices in Chicago and St. Paul, as well as assistance from the Hammond Police Department and Indiana State Police Digital Forensics Unit. The prosecution team included Assistant United States Attorneys Emily A. Morgan, Caitlin M. Padula, and Thomas M. McGrath.
This case is part of Project Safe Childhood—a national initiative launched by the Department of Justice in 2006 aimed at protecting children from exploitation through coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local authorities.
