Manitowoc man arrested in possession of child pornography appears in court

A 53-year-old Manitowoc man taken into custody Thursday on child pornography and several other charges appeared in court for a bail hearing Friday afternoon.

The court commissioner set bail at $100,000 cash for Paul Andrew Platt, whose list of charges includes two counts of soliciting a performance of a child depicting nudity, exhibiting a child to harmful material, possession of child pornography, harassment, possession of drug paraphernalia, and possession of THC and a Schedule 1 drug, each with intent to deliver.

Officers searched Platt’s north home and seized more than 15 hard drives, several USB sticks and mobile devices.

Authorities say child sexual assault material was found on at least three of the devices, as well as printed photos of one of the two child victims.

They also discovered a bag of marijuana weighing just over 211 grams, as well as a jar containing nearly 30.5 grams of THC wax and approximately 5,000 grams of Kratom, a Schedule 1 drug.

Bail conditions are that Platt has “no contact” with the victims or anyone under the age of 18, must not possess any controlled substances unless accompanied by a valid prescription, and Platt must not possess or use a controlled substance. devices connected to the Internet.

He remains incarcerated in the county jail and his first appearance is scheduled for July 1 at 1:30 p.m.