Sterling Heights, MI – May 13, 2025 — The Macomb County Sheriff’s Office, through the specialized work of its Macomb Area Computer Enforcement (M.A.C.E.) Unit and Sheriff’s Enforcement Team (SET), announced a significant development in the ongoing fight against child exploitation. A suspect in a child sexually abusive material (CSAM) case was taken into custody following the execution of a search warrant earlier this week.
The coordinated law enforcement action took place in Sterling Heights on Tuesday, May 13, 2025. M.A.C.E. detectives, with support from SET officers, executed a search warrant at the residence of 30-year-old Nicholas Ibrahim. The arrest follows an intensive digital investigation stemming from a tip shared by the Michigan Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. The ICAC task force received the information via the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), which had identified a series of CSAM videos and images allegedly uploaded by the suspect.
During the operation, detectives seized multiple electronic devices from the home, which are now undergoing forensic examination to identify and preserve evidence that may be vital to the case. Authorities confirmed that Ibrahim was taken into custody without incident and cooperated with officers during the initial proceedings.
Nicholas Ibrahim was arraigned on Monday, May 12, 2025, in 41A District Court in Sterling Heights on a series of serious felony charges related to the possession and distribution of child sexually abusive material. The charges filed include:
- Three counts of Child Sexually Abusive Material – Aggravated Possession, each a 10-year felony.
- Three counts of Using a Computer to Commit a Crime, each a 10-year felony.
- One count of Child Sexually Abusive Material – Aggravated Possession, a 4-year felony.
- One count of Using a Computer to Commit a Crime, a 4-year felony.
The totality of charges reflects the severity of the allegations and underscores the persistent threat posed by online predators.
Judge Michael Chupa of the 41A District Court set bond at $2,500, cash or surety, with a 10% provision. Ibrahim subsequently posted bond and was released from custody pending further court proceedings.
About M.A.C.E. and SET
The Macomb Area Computer Enforcement (M.A.C.E.) Unit is a dedicated task force within the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office that investigates high-tech crimes, particularly those involving the exploitation of children. Working closely with state, federal, and non-profit partners such as ICAC and NCMEC, M.A.C.E. uses sophisticated technology and digital forensic tools to identify perpetrators and safeguard children from harm.
The Sheriff’s Enforcement Team (SET) supports these operations with tactical resources, ensuring that arrests and search warrants are executed safely and effectively.
A Message from the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office
Sheriff Anthony Wickersham reaffirmed the department’s commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of society, stating, “Crimes involving the exploitation of children are among the most heinous we investigate. Through the dedicated work of our M.A.C.E. Unit and our partnership with ICAC and NCMEC, we will continue to pursue justice aggressively and ensure offenders are held accountable.”
This arrest marks another example of successful interagency collaboration and highlights the importance of continued vigilance and community cooperation in the fight against child exploitation.