Jury Convicts Lawrence Resident of 14 Child Sex Crimes

Douglas County District Attorney Charles Branson announced today a jury convicted Lawrence, Kansas resident Michael J. Limburg, 46, late Thursday evening of 14 charges.  Those charges were 10 counts of sexual exploitation of child – promoting a performance and four counts of sexual exploitation of a child – possessing a visual depiction. 

Investigation into the case began in May 2012, when Detective Dean Ohman of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by Detective T.J. Shavers and Detective Christopher Evans of the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office regarding a possible cyber crime that was being committed in Douglas County, Kansas.  During the same month, in a completely independent investigation, Detective Shawn Bostick of the Wichita Police Department contacted Detective Ohman regarding a possible cyber crime involving the same person.  Both investigators provided Detective Ohman with an IP address located in Douglas County.  Detective Ohman traced that IP address back to Michael Limburg.  On July 16, 2012, Detective Ohman collected two computers and 25 floppy disks from the Defendant.  Detective Ohman conducted a forensic examination of those computers and as a result, the Defendant was charged.

Sentencing in this matter is scheduled for May 29 at 3:00 p.m.  The sexual exploitation of a child – promoting a performance is an off-grid felony and falls under the sentencing provisions of “Jessica’s Law” that provides an enhanced penalty for sex crimes when the victim involved is under the age of 14 years old.  A first time conviction carries a penalty of life without the possibility of parole for 25 years in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections and requires lifetime registration under the Kansas Offender Registration Act.  The sexual exploitation of a child – possessing a visual depiction is a level five person felony.  Depending on the Defendant’s criminal history, it carries a possible penalty of 31 to 136 months in the custody of the Kansas Department of Corrections.  

The trial started on Monday, March 31 and went to jury at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 3.  The jury deliberated for approximately three hours before returning its verdict.  The case was heard in the Division Four courtroom of the Honorable Michael J. Malone and was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Catherine Decena and Mark Simpson. 

-30-