The wife of ex-Navy contractor Michael McCarron was cautioned by the court that her testimony could incriminate her criminally and land her in jail just like her husband, Michael McCarron, who was previously implicated in a sex sting operation in March of this year.
In 2017, Michael McCarron was picked up by the FBI after he used the internet to attempt to have sex with a minor he also sent lewd photographs of himself to. But while he thought he was talking to a minor, he was really talking with an undercover FBI agent posing as a minor.
That sting operation landed him in jail on charges of attempted enticement of a minor and attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor.
While he was granted pre-trial release and allowed to return to his home in Idaho, new allegations that he and his wife placed advertisements for sex on a commercial sex website called “Skip the Games” has him back on Guam in custody for violating the conditions of his release.
Wednesday’s hearing addressed whether or not Michael should be allowed back on pre-trial release. His wife, Linnea McCarron, appeared via video conference from the U.S. District Court in Idaho to testify in support of her husband’s release.
But while she was testifying, one question raised by the government prompted District Court Magistrate Judge Joaquin Manibusan to advise her to take caution before answering.
This came about as the government established that the couple was together physically during the period of the alleged violations and after further describing Michael’s phone as a flip phone with no internet access and Linnea’s phone as the one with Internet capabilities.
The question, “Who posted that?” centers around an advertisement that according to the FBI is linked back to the McCarrons which they believe was done through the use of a mobile device shared by the couple.
But before Linnea could respond, Judge Manibusan stepped in reminding her of her 5th amendment right against self-incrimination.
The judge asked her if she would like to consult with an attorney before she answers and whether or not she should continue to testify as her statements may subject her to criminal prosecution.
This I when Linnea posed a question to the court, asking quote, “Is it against the law to post looking for somebody without money?”
Linnea opted to consult with an attorney before making any additional statements to the court. Judge Manibusan has continued the pre-trial release hearing and granted her with three weeks to confer with an attorney.
It was noted that trial in the case is set to begin on Oct. 29, 2019, and that the hearing would not affect the case from proceeding to trial.
The continued motion hearing is set for Nov. 8, 2019.
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