By AARON MUELLER
Niles Daily Star

A Niles Township man facing criminal sexual conduct charges will appear in Berrien County Trial Court Friday for a pre-hearing conference.

Mark Owen Baldwin, 47, was arraigned in April on two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct against a child under age 13.  A preliminary hearing is slated for June 1 in Berrien County Trial Court.

According to court documents, the victim told the Berrien County Child Assessment Center that Baldwin had perpetrated sexual abuse.

Baldwin and his wife Michelle are both facing federal charges as well.

The investigation began after state police were notified that Baldwin allegedly had a photo of himself and the victim naked on his online Yahoo profile. The FBI joined the investigation after evidence of child pornography was discovered.

According to the report, Baldwin’s computer was confiscated and he indicated police would “find child sexually abusive material.”

Assistant Prosecutor Mary Malesky could not say how many images were found on the computer. She also said that Michelle Baldwin will not be prosecuted at the state level at this time.

The Star has not provided details about the victim to protect the victim’s identity.