Thumb Drive Found In Park Leads To Arrest In Child Porn Case

DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - An Adrian man accused of possessing child pornography surprised observers with his unusual attire when he appeared in federal court in Detroit on Thursday.

Reportedly wearing lipstick, a red wig, bra and  tan halter top, 24-year-old Sean Gossman asked for a court-appointed lawyer.

Authorities said a computer thumb drive -- or USB memory stick -- containing at least 1,000 images of child pornography allegedly belonged to Gossman. It was found last year in a park in Onstead, just west of Saline, in Lenawee County.

The FBI tracked Gossman to the Sterling Estates Mobile Home Park in Adrian where he was placed under surveillance and ultimately arrested.

According to a criminal complaint, some of the photos on the drive depicted bondage or torture -- some of which authorities believe were staged.  One image showed an apparently deceased  infant with a rope around her neck. It was unclear whether the poor-quality photo was faked, and the FBI declined to discuss the image as an investigation is ongoing.

"It is chilling. No one knows where the picture was taken," Cambridge Township Police Chief Larry Wibbeler told The Detroit News

There is nothing in the criminal complaint that indicates whether the FBI asked Gossman about that specific image. Agent Susan Lucas said Gossman admitted that he had downloaded child porn.

Adrian Police Chief Vince Emrick told the News there's no reason to believe the child was from the area.

Following Thursday's court appearance Gossman was returned to jail where he will remain held until a detention hearing Monday.

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