Cassia County Man Arrested for Child Sexual Exploitation

Idaho Attorney General Announces Arrest in Child Exploitation Case

The Idaho Attorney General’s Office announced the arrest of 39-year-old Michael Montoya from Burley, Idaho, on serious charges related to child exploitation. The arrest, conducted by the Idaho Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force, took place on Thursday, August 30th, 2024, following a search warrant executed at Montoya's residence.

Charges and Arrest Details

Montoya faces two counts of Production of Child Sexual Exploitation Material, five counts of Possession of Child Sexual Exploitation Material, and one count of Distribution of Child Sexual Exploitation Material. The investigation and subsequent arrest were the result of a coordinated effort among multiple law enforcement agencies.

Statement from Attorney General Raúl Labrador

Attorney General Raúl Labrador emphasized the importance of collaboration in this case, stating, “Yesterday’s arrest involved multiple agencies working together to protect children from abuse and exploitation. I’m grateful for these effective partnerships and our unwavering mission of keeping our kids safe.”

Agencies Involved

The agencies that assisted the ICAC Task Force in this operation include:

• Rupert Police Department
• Cassia County Sheriff’s Office
• Idaho State Police in District 4
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
• United States Attorney’s Office
• United States Postal Inspector

Bail for Montoya has been set at one million dollars.

Public Encouraged to Report Exploitation

The Attorney General’s Office encourages anyone with information regarding the exploitation of children to come forward. Reports can be made to local police, the Attorney General’s ICAC Unit at 208-947-8700, or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.

About the ICAC Task Force

The Idaho ICAC Task Force is a coalition of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies dedicated to investigating and prosecuting individuals who use the internet to exploit children. More information and resources for parents, educators, and law enforcement officials can be found on the ICAC website at ICACIdaho.org.