An East Missoula man, Christopher Michael Cooper, 31, who was on probation after being caught in a sex sting, was found to be in possession of child pornography on Thursday, and was arrested for violating the terms of his probation. 

According to court documents, Missoula police officers searched Cooper's home in East Missoula on Thursday and found a smartphone and computer equipment, both of which were prohibited according to Cooper's probation agreement. The smartphone contained two images of either nude or semi-nude minor females.

Missoula Police Detective Chris Shermer with the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force helped with the search. He was also involved with the sex sting that Cooper and six other individuals responded to in December 2013.

Cooper was charged with felony sexual abuse of children, which carries a possible penalty of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. He will also face penalties for violating the terms of his probation.

At his appearance before Judge Karen Orzech, Deputy County Attorney Jennifer Clark asked the judge to hold Cooper on $500,000 bail due to the danger he presented to the community. Instead, Judge Orzech continued his $50,000 bail set earlier on Friday for the probation violation, and then set concurrent bail of $150,000 for the sexual abuse of children charge, for a total of $200,000.

Clark plans to charge Cooper as a persistent felony offender, which could lead to a life sentence. He was remanded to the jail. His next court appearance is May 7.

 

 

 

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