May 16 — GRAND FORKS — A former Ramsey County Sheriff’s deputy charged with possession of child pornography earlier this year now faces federal charges.
Michael John Hull, 25, was arrested in January for possession of certain Class C banned materials, which carry a maximum sentence of five years.
He was released after posting $5,000 cash bail.
According to the affidavit in that case, the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation received a tip alleging that Hull had uploaded child pornography to Google Drive.
BCI examined the files and found 249 child pornography images, according to the affidavit.
When a search warrant was executed at the Hull’s Devils Lake residence, police found he was in group chats with names “associated with child pornography,” the affidavit said.
At the time of Hull’s arrest, he was on administrative leave from the sheriff’s office. He has since been fired, and on May 10, two federal charges were filed against him for possession of material containing child pornography.
Hull was arrested on his federal charges on May 12, but released the same day. The terms of his release include electronic home surveillance and house arrest, meaning he can only leave his residence for approved purposes, such as work or court hearings.
Hull is prohibited from using the internet and having contact with anyone under the age of 18 unless approved by his probation officer.
Under the United States Code, the maximum sentence for any of Hull’s charges is 20 years in prison. The mandatory minimum is five years.
