An Eagle River man from Indiana who once described himself as a “hardcore child rapist” and who moved to Alaska “for a fresh start” and perhaps a Permanent Fund dividend was sentenced this week to 20 years in federal prison for attempting to coerce a minor and for receiving, distributing, and possessing child pornography. He will remain on supervised release for the rest of his life.
According to the Department of Justice, 30-year-old Michael Koetter contacted an Alaska commercial sex worker on Sept. 25, 2023, asking about finding girls under the age of 12 who had “rates,” a term referring to prices for sex acts or sexually explicit images. His intention, prosecutors said, was to access a minor for the purpose of coercing them into sexual activity. The sex worker immediately reported the message to law enforcement.
The FBI executed search warrants on Koetter’s person, vehicle, and Eagle River residence, uncovering digital devices containing child sexual abuse material and extensive conversations involving child exploitation. Agents seized a thumb drive that held roughly 72 subfolders and more than 1,400 files, many depicting the sexual abuse of pre-pubescent children, including toddlers.
Also on the drive were two text files, one titled “Manifesto.txt,” in which Koetter described himself as a “hardcore child rapist” whose stated mission was “to rape and molest as many children as [he] can before [he] die[s].”
Federal investigators determined Koetter had previously been convicted in Indiana in 2019 for possessing child pornography before relocating to Alaska “for a fresh start.”
Koetter pleaded guilty to attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, receipt and distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography.
US Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska called Koetter a recidivist offender.
Acting Special Agent in Charge Brandon Waddle of the FBI Anchorage Field Office said Koetter’s conduct showed a broader plan to continue exploiting children.
The case was investigated by the FBI Anchorage Field Office as part of the Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, with assistance from the Anchorage Police Department.
