Child porn suspect's release ordered

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - A federal court ordered the release of accused child pornographer Eric Straatsma Wednesday. The court ruled the magistrate was within his discretion to allow bond.

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.

His bond was set at $20,000.

Beyond the normal conditions anyone has on bond, Straatsma:

• will have a computer monitoring device.
• will be in the custody of his parents, John and Barbara Straatsma.
• will not be permitted to have minors in the home.
• must have a supervising adult with him at all times.

David Kaczor, Senior Litigator for the Federal Defender for West Michigan, said the fact 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 didn't think Straatsma should get bond and appealed to federal court a second time.

The ruling was made by Judge Robert Holmes Bell.