October 17, 2007

ICE seeks former detective accused of distributing child pornography
Retired New York police officer may have access to weapons

ALBANY, N.Y. - U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents are seeking the public's help in locating a fugitive indicted on charges of distribution of child pornography who has fled to avoid prosecution. Suspect Michael W. Niebling was not in federal custody when he was indicted on Sept. 27, 2007, for the possession and distribution of child pornography. He failed to appear in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of New York on Oct. 16, 2007, as ordered. A federal judge issued a warrant for his arrest.

Niebling is a retired detective with the New York City Police Department and may have access to weapons. While there is no immediate information that the individual is a threat to the general public, he does face serious federal felony charges and should be approached with caution and considered armed and dangerous.

Niebling has been entered into the National Crime Information Center's database as a fugitive. He was last seen on Oct. 11, 2007, in Myrtle Beach, S.C. Investigators also believe that Niebling may have been in Las Vegas, Nev., early on Monday, Oct. 15. He is also believed to have been at or near Boston's Logan Airport either later on Oct. 15 or early in the following morning. His current location is unknown.

According to the federal indictment, Niebling distributed child pornography from his location in the Albany area using his computer and the Internet to other locations in the United States and to other countries. Distribution of child pornography is a violation of Title 18 USC Section 2252A (a) (2) (A) and Section 2256 (8) (A). Possession of child pornography is a violation of Title 18 USC 2252A (A) (5) (B) and Section 2256 (8) (A).

Anyone with any information regarding Niebling's whereabouts should immediately contact their local police or call (800) 973-2867 and request to speak to the Albany ICE duty agent.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

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