An NIU student was charged and arrested on 21 counts of child pornography on Monday, according to a press release by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.

The Batavia Police Department received a CyberTip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). An investigation based on the tip began in April 2025. The identified offender is a current NIU student, Michael B. Erickson.

A search warrant was secured by the Batavia Police Department for Erickson’s dorm room and all his electronic devices. The search of the dorm room was conducted at the beginning of May 2025 by the Batavia Police Department with the assistance of DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office Detectives. During the search, multiple electronic devices belonging to Erickson were collected as evidence.

A forensic examination on the electronic devices collected was conducted by the Batavia Police Department. It was then determined the criminal offenses transpired in DeKalb County. This information caused the investigation to be turned over from the Batavia Police Department to the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office.

After reviewing the evidence collected from the electronic devices, thousands of suspected child sexual abuse material (CSAM) were found.

A warrant for the arrest of Erickson was obtained Monday. Erickson was arrested that same afternoon in the Bayfield Drive area in DeKalb. Erickson was charged with 21 counts of production of child pornography, disseminating child pornography and possession of child pornography.

Erickson is currently at the DeKalb County Jail waiting on a detainment hearing.