Springfield architect resigns amid child porn indictment

Last edited 9:48 a.m., Oct. 8, 2014

Springfield-based Bates & Associates Inc. Vice President Jarod Michel resigned last month from the company amid federal allegations he received and distributed child pornography.

Michel, 31, was charged in an indictment returned under seal Sept. 30 and made public Oct. 2 upon his arrest and initial court appearance, according to a news release from the office of Tammy Dickinson, U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri.

A statement issued by Bates & Associates to Springfield Business Journal notes Michel resigned from the company the day before charges were filed, informing the company's president of the allegations of illegal content on his home computer.

"Even though the allegations are unrelated to his work here, we immediately conducted a thorough internal audit of all our computer devices. The audit came back clean. Our goal is to provide a safe and secure work environment for all our employees," the statement reads.

The indictment, which referred to Michel as "Bull," alleges he received and distributed child pornography over the Internet between June 18, 2013, and May 20. Michel allegedly used peer-to-peer file-sharing software to download several videos of child pornography that were shared over the Internet via his computer. The indictment also contains a forfeiture allegation requiring Michel to forfeit to the government any property used to commit the alleged offense, including a laptop. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James Kelleher and was investigated by the FBI, according to the release.

A 2006 Drury University architecture graduate, Michel was part of the 2010 class of Leadership Springfield and was among Springfield Business Journal's 2012 group of 40 Under 40 honorees. Michel has served on the boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters and Ozark Trails Council for the Springfield Boy Scouts and is a charter member of Springfield’s Metro Rotary and a founding member of Springfield Business Works networking group.[[In-content Ad]]