An Eagle River resident, Michael Koetter, 30, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison and a lifetime of supervised release after pleading guilty to several child exploitation offenses. The sentencing took place following an investigation that revealed Koetter attempted to coerce a minor and possessed, received, and distributed child pornography.
Court documents state that on September 25, 2023, Koetter contacted a commercial sex worker in Alaska seeking girls under the age of 12 for sexual purposes. The sex worker reported the communication to law enforcement authorities.
A search warrant executed by the FBI led to the discovery of digital devices at Koetter’s residence containing materials depicting child sexual abuse. Among the evidence was a thumb drive with approximately 72 subfolders holding over 1,400 files showing images and videos involving pre-pubescent minors. Investigators also found text files on the device, including one labeled “Manifesto.txt,” where Koetter described intentions to sexually exploit children.
Koetter had previously been convicted of possessing child pornography in Indiana in 2019 before relocating to Alaska.
He pleaded guilty to one count each of attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, receipt and distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.
“Mr. Koetter is a recidivist sex offender who made the mistake of moving to Alaska and seeking another child to exploit. Now, he will spend the next 20 years behind bars and the rest of his life on supervised release,” said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska. “I want to thank the witness who came forward to report Mr. Koetter’s perversity, as that report and the hard work of our law enforcement partners has prevented the defendant from harming another child for the next 20 years.”
“Koetter, a repeat sex offender, committed disturbing child exploitation crimes across jurisdictions, and with a broader plan to continue sexually exploiting and traumatizing as many young children as he could,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Brandon Waddle of the FBI Anchorage Field Office. “This investigation and sentencing represent the FBI’s commitment to ensuring sadistic child predators like Koetter are held accountable and removed from our communities. Our children are undeniably safer with him behind bars.”
The case was investigated by the FBI Anchorage Field Office as part of its Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force with support from local police agencies. Assistant U.S. Attorney Adam Alexander and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Seth Brickey prosecuted.
The prosecution falls under Project Safe Childhood—a Department of Justice initiative started in May 2006—aimed at combating online sexual exploitation against minors by coordinating efforts among federal, state, and local agencies (https://www.justice.gov/psc).
