MATTHEW COOLEY

MARQUETTE — A Kingsford man will spend at least two years in prison on charges stemming from an undercover operation in Alger County that targeted adults attempting to commit sexual acts with minors.

Matthew Clarence Cooley was arrested March 10, 2023, for child abusive communication activity, use of a computer to commit a crime and possession of methamphetamine as a result of the undercover operation by the Alger County Sheriff’s Office.

He agreed in August to plead no contest to child abusive communication activity and use of a computer to commit a crime in the 11th Circuit Court of Alger County.

He subsequently was sentenced to two to 20 years in state prison, according to Capt. Matthew Waldron of the Alger County Sheriff’s Office.

Cooley responded in early 2023 to the officers conducting the undercover operation, then traveled from Kingsford to Munising with the intent to have sexual intercourse with a minor, according to the Alger County Sheriff’s Office. Several officers then arrested Cooley when he arrived at the predetermined location.

The Alger County Sheriff’s Office has conducted several of these operations with success. However, Cooley was the first one given a prison term as a result, according to a statement from the office.