Three Big Rapids men arrested in child trafficking sting
2 suspects lodged in jail, 1 free on bond
Bradley Massman, Editor
Dec. 2, 2021 Updated: Dec. 2, 2021 7:04 p.m.
Three Big Rapids men are facing a slew of charges following their arrests in a child trafficking sting earlier this week.
Photo courtesy of Mecosta County Sheriff's OfficeShow MoreShow Less
Jeremy Ostrander
Austin Donley
Randall Pion
BIG RAPIDS TOWNSHIP — Three Big Rapids men are facing a slew of charges following their arrests in a child trafficking sting earlier this week.
On Tuesday, deputies from Mecosta, Montcalm, Isabella, and Newaygo county sheriff's offices along Big Rapids police officers, FBI agents, 6th District MSP Intelligence Analyst, and the Central Michigan Enforcement Team, conducted a sting in Big Rapids Township.
All three suspects individually traveled to a Big Rapids Township location with the intentions of having sexual intercourse with a minor juvenile, according to a news release from the Mecosta County Sheriff's Office.
On Thursday, the suspects appeared in Mecosta County's 77th District Court for arraignment.
The charges are as followings:
• Jeremy Ostrander, 25, of Big Rapids, faces singles counts of accosting a minor for immoral purposes; using a computer to commit a crime; and resisting/obstructing a police officer. Bond was set at $125,000.
• Randall Pion, 26, of Big Rapids, faces single counts of accosting a minor for immoral purposes; and using a computer to commit a crime. Bond was set at $100,000.
• Austin Donley, 27, of Big Rapids, faces single counts of accosting a minor for immoral purposes; using a computer to commit a crime; and resisting/obstructing a police officer. Donley was allegedly in possession of firearms at the time of his arrest, Mecosta County Sheriff Brian Miller confirmed with the Pioneer. Donley also faces two counts of felony firearms.
As of Thursday night, Ostrander and Pion are lodged in the Mecosta County Jail. Donley remains free on bond, which was set at $150,000.
Bradley Massman
Bradley Massman graduated from Central Michigan University in 2013 with a bachelor's degree in journalism. He received first place awards for Best Investigative Reporting and Best Column from the Associated Press.