Bond possible for child porn suspect

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A federal magistrate could let a man facing charges of producing and distributing child pornography out on bond.

Eric Straatsma, 34, was arrested March 2 after the FBI searched his residence and found more than 1,000 images of child pornography , including some videos.

24 Hour News 8 found out that it's not rare for someone with a case like Straatsma's to get bond because in federal court it's presumed the person will get bond in most cases.

According to court documents, Straatsma admitted to producing and possessing the child pornography and trading it online.

In federal court, 24 Hour News 8 is told the two things that a judge has to consider about bail is whether or not a person is a danger to society and if a person is a flight risk.

Since Straatsma doesn't have a criminal record, he doesn't have a history of fleeing.

According to documents, U.S. attorneys do believe he is a danger to society.

David Kaczor, Senior Litigator for the Federal Defender for West Michigan, said the fact that Straatsma isn't being charged with any physical crimes against children likely played a role in a magistrate assigning bond.

However, the U.S. Attorney's Office doesn't think that Straatsma should get bond and they appealed the first judge's decision to a second judge.

As of Friday evening, the judge still hasn't decided whether or not Straatsma should be released. Until he makes a decision, Straatsma will remain behind bars.