A Milford man has admitted in federal court to paying for the sexual abuse of children abroad. He faces up to 30 years in prison, with sentencing set for January in Detroit.
Michael Martin Yeager, 68, from Milford, is waiting to be sentenced after pleading guilty in U.S. District Court in Detroit. Prosecutors say he arranged for children in several countries to be sexually exploited. His sentencing is set for January 13, 2027. Yeager could get up to 30 years in federal prison, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Michigan official announcement. Milford sits in Oakland County, is part of the Huron Valley Schools district, and falls under the Eastern District federal courts.
Federal prosecutors say Yeager paid adults in the Philippines and Vietnam to make videos of children as young as four forced into sex acts and other degrading abuse, including acts involving urine and feces. Authorities say Yeager ordered these crimes directly, and the abuse happened between 2022 and 2025. The complaint says the videos were made for Yeager, who gave instructions from Michigan and paid for the abuse.
How authorities uncovered the case
The case broke open in January 2026. Customs and Border Protection officers at Los Angeles International Airport found deleted child pornography files on Yeager's cell phone during a secondary inspection as he came back from Japan. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents tracked a messaging app account tied to Yeager's email. He used it to talk with people overseas and pay for abusive videos. This evidence led to his arrest by HSI and the federal charges that followed, as confirmed by the U.S. Department of Justice and FOX 2 Detroit.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Zachary Zurek and Ann Nee are handling the prosecution. The case shows how federal agencies and Oakland County law enforcement work together. The U.S. Attorney's Office in Detroit prosecutes federal crimes in the area, including Milford, Farmington, and Farmington Hills. Residents can check the Oakland County government portal for updates on federal cases and public safety news.
Recent federal child exploitation cases in Michigan
Yeager's guilty plea comes as Michigan courts deal with several other child exploitation cases. In the same week, a Macomb County arson suspect was charged with sexually abusing a minor. Last week, a former Farmington Hills doctor got nine years in federal prison for receiving child pornography, as reported earlier. In another recent case, a Howell man and former youth soccer coach was charged with sexually exploiting a six-year-old girl and having child pornography. These cases show law enforcement and the courts are staying alert. The Farmington Public Schools board also reviews safety rules and works with local police to protect children.
Federal process and community impact
Federal child sexual exploitation cases often cross borders and need agencies like Homeland Security Investigations and Customs and Border Protection to work together. In Yeager's case, both agencies helped find evidence and build the case. The sentencing in January will decide Yeager's punishment, but the case already shows how seriously federal and local authorities-including the City of Farmington and Oakland County-treat these crimes. The recent prosecutions in Michigan make it clear: law enforcement is going after those who exploit children, and the courts are handing down long sentences when they are convicted.
