By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
At least seven people have been arrested, and five of them have been convicted, as the result of an investigation by Ottawa County authorities working with a statewide task force investigating the distribution of child sexually abusive material.
The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office investigative unit, through a partnership with the Michigan State Police’s Internet Crimes Against Children task force, conducted several investigations into individuals from within Ottawa County after receiving evidence those people had distributed child sexually abusive material.
“The defendants in these cases have no known connection to each other,” Sheriff’s Office Detective Sgt. Jacob Mucha said in a Jan. 21 news release. “In all cases information arose that these subjects were using computers to access, possess of distribute CSAM.
Through investigation, investigators with the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office executed search warrants and seized electronic devices. Subsequent examination revealed evidence that substantiated multiple criminal charges.”
Five individuals were prosecuted through the Ottawa County Prosecutor’s Office, convicted and are now serving time in prison.
• Simon Andrew VanDyke, 28, of Spring Lake, pleaded guilty to aggravated distributing or promoting CSAM. VanDyke was sentenced in September 2025 to a term of 19 months to 15 years with the Michigan Department of Corrections.
• Alexander Brionez-Jordan Lozano, 28, of Allendale, pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated distributing or promoting of CSAM. Lozano was sentenced in September 2025 to 2-to-15 years in prison.
• Kristopher Kevin Calkins, 36, of Grand Rapids, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated distributing or promoting CSAM and two counts of aggravated possession of CSAM. Calkins was sentenced in August 2025 to 51 months to 15 years in prison.
• Christopher Brandon Overweg, 31, of Allendale, pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated distributing or promoting CSAM. Overweg was sentenced in October 2025 to 30 months to 15 years in prison.
• Charles Raymond Mitchener, 53, of Allendale, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated possession of CSAM and one count of using a computer to commit a crime. Charles was sentenced in October 2025 to 4-to-15 years in prison.
Additional arrests have been made as a result of the investigation, with two occurring as recently this month. The court process is underway in those cases in 58th District Court, Mucha said.
The sheriff’s office issued the news release to raise awareness of the threat of distribution of child sexually abusive material. There are many resources available for parents to help keep their kids safe online, including the Michigan ICAC Task Force (Michigan.gov/icac) and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (missingkids.org), Mucha said.
“Parents are encouraged to speak with their children about how to be safe while using the internet,” Mucha said.
These incidents remain under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office or Silent Observer at 1-877-88-SILENT (745368) or mosotips.com.
Zeeland Record
At least seven people have been arrested, and five of them have been convicted, as the result of an investigation by Ottawa County authorities working with a statewide task force investigating the distribution of child sexually abusive material.
The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office investigative unit, through a partnership with the Michigan State Police’s Internet Crimes Against Children task force, conducted several investigations into individuals from within Ottawa County after receiving evidence those people had distributed child sexually abusive material.
“The defendants in these cases have no known connection to each other,” Sheriff’s Office Detective Sgt. Jacob Mucha said in a Jan. 21 news release. “In all cases information arose that these subjects were using computers to access, possess of distribute CSAM.
Through investigation, investigators with the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office executed search warrants and seized electronic devices. Subsequent examination revealed evidence that substantiated multiple criminal charges.”
Five individuals were prosecuted through the Ottawa County Prosecutor’s Office, convicted and are now serving time in prison.
• Simon Andrew VanDyke, 28, of Spring Lake, pleaded guilty to aggravated distributing or promoting CSAM. VanDyke was sentenced in September 2025 to a term of 19 months to 15 years with the Michigan Department of Corrections.
• Alexander Brionez-Jordan Lozano, 28, of Allendale, pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated distributing or promoting of CSAM. Lozano was sentenced in September 2025 to 2-to-15 years in prison.
• Kristopher Kevin Calkins, 36, of Grand Rapids, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated distributing or promoting CSAM and two counts of aggravated possession of CSAM. Calkins was sentenced in August 2025 to 51 months to 15 years in prison.
• Christopher Brandon Overweg, 31, of Allendale, pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated distributing or promoting CSAM. Overweg was sentenced in October 2025 to 30 months to 15 years in prison.
• Charles Raymond Mitchener, 53, of Allendale, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated possession of CSAM and one count of using a computer to commit a crime. Charles was sentenced in October 2025 to 4-to-15 years in prison.
Additional arrests have been made as a result of the investigation, with two occurring as recently this month. The court process is underway in those cases in 58th District Court, Mucha said.
The sheriff’s office issued the news release to raise awareness of the threat of distribution of child sexually abusive material. There are many resources available for parents to help keep their kids safe online, including the Michigan ICAC Task Force (Michigan.gov/icac) and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (missingkids.org), Mucha said.
“Parents are encouraged to speak with their children about how to be safe while using the internet,” Mucha said.
These incidents remain under investigation by the Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Sheriff's Office or Silent Observer at 1-877-88-SILENT (745368) or mosotips.com.
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