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Child porn suspect appears in court

Michael Shalz
A 36-year-old St. Joseph man appeared in court Tuesday to face child pornography charges. Michael Shalz is being held in the Buchanan County Jail on one class-d felony count of possession of child pornography.

Investigators said in a probable-cause statement that they found images and at least one video depicting child pornography on electronic devices found in Shalz’es home July 13. Assistant Prosecutor Kate Schaefer told the judge the defendant has an online Dropbox storage account, where investigators found over 20 videos.

Associate Circuit Judge Keith Marquart read the charge to Shalz and scheduled a preliminary hearing August 4 at 11 am. Bail was set earlier at $10,000 cash. After hearing from Schaefer, Judge Marquart said he would not change the amount of bail.

Shalz said he would apply for a public defender.

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