A Soldotna man was arrested Friday on charges of possessing and distributing child pornography.
Alaska State Troopers arrested Michael Dean Hancock, 57, on Friday morning on 14 counts of possession and distribution of child pornography. Department of Public Safety Public Information Officer Megan Peters said the troopers conducted the arrest on behalf of the Alaska Department of Law, which issued the warrant Thursday evening.
The Anchorage Grand Jury indicted Hancock on the charges Thursday. If convicted, Hancock will face a sentence of between two and 99 years on each count. The warrant was the result of an ongoing investigation by the Alaska Bureau of Investigation, according to a press release from the Department of Law.
Hancock is a longtime Soldotna resident and a karate instructor with Peninsula Martial Arts on Kalifornsky Beach Road in Soldotna, which instructs both adults and children.
The dojo shut down unexpectedly Dec. 22, due to “unforeseen circumstances,” according to the business’s Facebook page. The phone number associated with the business was disconnected as of Friday.
Any individuals with more information should contact Investigator Vance Peronto with the Alaska Bureau of Investigation’s Soldotna post at 907-262-4453.
Reach Elizabeth Earl at elizabeth.earl@peninsulaclarion.com.
