Hazelton Man Enters Guilty Plea on Child Porn Charges

BOISE, Idaho (KLIX)-A man who once lived in Hazelton has pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting two children. The US Attorney’s office announced 33 year old Michael Brian Clair pleaded guilty to sexual exploitation of children by producing sexually explicit images.

Clair used to live in Hazleton and Parker, Arizona. He faces 15 to 30 years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, and supervised release of five years to a lifetime when sentenced in October. Clair caught the attention of Homeland Security agents last year when he responded to an Internet advertisement posted by an agent.

Clair made several statements about having sex with a 4-year-old girl and discussed trading sexually explicit images via email.  During his hearing Clair admitted to coercing two prepubescent minors to engage in sexually explicit conduct in 2012 and 2013. He filmed it and transported the material to Arizona from Idaho. Clair also admitted to distributing child pornography to others on the Internet.