DETROIT - A retired realtor from Dearborn was indicted here yesterday for manufacturing, receiving and possessing child pornography. The indictment resulted from an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Lee Edwin Garling, 65, was arrested under Operation Predator, a nationwide investigation led by ICE to apprehend those committing sexual crimes against children. He resides on the 5400 block of Orchard Ave. in Dearborn.

ICE special agents, assisted by the Dearborn Police Department, conducted a search warrant of Garling's residence in November and seized two computer towers, each containing thousands of images of child pornography. A forensic analysis of the seized materials revealed more than 150,000 child pornography images on CDs and DVDs, including a videotape containing Garling's sexually explicit contact with a 4-year-old girl.

“This case reveals the disturbing truth that some adults will go to great lengths to sexually exploit children,” said Brian M. Moskowitz, special agent-in-charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Detroit. “While we cannot restore innocence to those who were abused and exploited, we can make sure that justice is served. ICE will ensure that justice is served on behalf of the victims.”

This case is part of Operation Predator, ICE's comprehensive initiative to safeguard children from foreign national pedophiles, international sex tourists, Internet child pornographers, and human traffickers. Since Operation Predator was launched in July 2003, ICE agents have arrested more than 9,200 individuals nationwide, including 220 in Michigan.

ICE encourages the public to report suspected child predators and any suspicious activity through its toll-free hotline at 1-866-DHS-2ICE. Investigators staff this hotline around the clock. Suspected child sexual exploitation or missing children may be reported to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, an Operation Predator partner, at 1-800-843-5678 or http://www.cybertipline.com.

-- ICE --