FBI investigation leads to child pornography charges against Ottawa County fire captain

OTTAWA COUNTY, Mich. — A 49-year-old Graafschap fire captain is facing a number of felony charges after an FBI investigation allegedly found him sharing child pornography.

Todd Achterhof was arraigned Thursday morning and an Ottawa County judge decided not to issue him bail. This means he will remain behind bars while his case moves through the courts.

The Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office says the investigation began within the FBI’s WEB CHEX (Western Michigan-Based Child Exploitation) task force.

County investigators became involved in May 2024 after being contacted by the FBI.

According to prosecutors, he allegedly sent photographs and videos of children to an FBI agent who communicated with him covertly over the Internet.

A case was put together and presented to the Ottawa County District Attorney’s Office on Wednesday, July 31.

Achterhof is charged with the following:

• CSAM – Aggravated Possession
• CSAM – Possession (x2 charges)
• CSAM Distribution
• Using a computer to commit a crime (x2 counts)

According to several sources, Achterhof was a captain in the Graafschap Fire Department and served there for more than two decades.
Chief Doug DenBleyker told FOX 17 on Thursday, “Todd Achterhof was employed by the Graafschap Fire Department from May 2, 1997 until May 22, 2024, when he resigned from his position with the Graafschap Fire Department. The letter we received did not state the reason for his resignation. The Graafschap Fire Department has no further comment on this matter.”

He was also previously a full-time dispatcher at Hope College.

“Upon learning of the federal search warrant, Hope College immediately conducted a thorough internal investigation,” a college spokesperson told FOX 17 on Thursday.

“The investigation found no activity on campus or involving college resources related to the charges. The individual no longer works for Hope College. This is all the college has said on the matter.”

Anyone with information regarding him or possible additional charges is asked to contact the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Office at (616) 738-4000, Silent Observer at 1-877-88 SILENT (745368).

The allegations against Achterhof remain under investigation.

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