Palmer man faces 11 charges in child porn case

PALMER — A Palmer man stood in Palmer Superior Court Tuesday afternoon facing 11 counts of possession and distribution of child pornography.

Michael John Clark Jr., 28, was indicted June 20.

During the appearance in front of Judge Jonathan Woodman, Clark heard the charges and the amount of time he could face if convicted. Clark believed he had a public defender assigned to him stemming from a fugitive from justice charge on March 24.

The 11 charges of possession and distribution stem from a tip from the state of Colorado. A concerned mother reported that her 10-year-old daughter received explicit images from an Instagram account that was later determined to be Clark’s, according to a press release issued by Alaska Assistant Attorney General Thomas Aliberti. Clark could serve 20 to 99 years for online enticement and another 15 to 99 years on each of his remaining counts, if convicted.

“Any individuals with information regarding Clark’s activities should contact Trooper Nathan Bucknall of the Alaska State Troopers,” according to the release.

The charge of online enticement carries the 20 to 99 year sentence if convicted, due to his previous felonies. The other 10 counts are classified as Class C Sex Felonies that would carry the 15 to 99 year sentence.

“Sentencing could be longer depending on whether a sentencing judge found any statutory or non-statutory aggravators,” Aliberti said.

Aliberti was unable to comment on whether any other complainants had come forward. Clark Jr. was arrested in March. Clark will appear again for a pretrial conference on July 26. His trial week is set to begin August 13.

This is a developing story.

Contact Frontiersman reporter Tim Rockey at tim.rockey@frontiersman.com.