Local sheriff's deputies say an elder abuse investigation reveals a child pornography operation. They say, a local man was preying on the most vulnerable: the elderly and the youth.
The story starts at 5242 Todd Street in Grand Blanc Township where 50 year old Rickie Woodring lives.
Law enforecement says, Rickie's mother, 86-year-old Irene is deemed incompetent by her doctor.
Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell says, "Within one month of Irene Woodring being deemed incompetent, March 27, 2007, her son, defendant Rickie Woodring systematically began withdrawing money from her account and a joint account and put it in his bank account."
Authorities say, the total amount of money is between $200,000 and $300,000.
While investigating the house for financial documents, law enforcement made another disturbing discovery, pictures by Rickie's bed.
Pickell says, "The photographs were of naked females which appeared to be young children."
Police say, Woodring's bedroom window faces McGrath Elementary School, and right now police are investigating to see if there are any complaints against him.
Pickell says, "My investigators learned that the Grand Blanc Township Police investigated Woodring on a child abuse case back in 2000." That case is now reopened. Back then, the child was 4, now 13.
Prosecutors also believe Woodring was hiding the stolen money in the form of collectable coins, sports memorabilia, and concert tickets.
They say, the items were found in his storage unit on Dort Highway. There's a signed photo of Detroit Tigers legendary pitcher, Mark "The Bird" Fidrych. He also had 30 tickets to the final concert at Cobo Arena featuring KISS, each valued at $130 a piece.
Authorities say, he wasn't hoarding these items, but that he was selling them on Ebay under the seller ID of tiger*tickets, trying to make more money with items purchased with stolen money.
Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton says, "Mr. Woodring stole from his mother. It's unspeakable behavior. I can't fathom how anybody can do that, but that's what we're facing in this day and age and we're seeing it all too often."
Woodring faces multiple counts of embezzling and child pornography.
Right now, he's in the Genesee County Jail.
If convicted, he could spend dozens of years in jail and hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines.
