Search Continues for Victims of Recently Arrested Online Sexual Predator

A 32-year-old Canton man is facing six felony charges following allegations that he repeatedly sent nude photos of himself to two Macomb County minors.

The Macomb Area Computer Enforcement team arrested Taylor McCabe Best on Wednesday and charged him with six counts of felony crimes, according to the Macomb County Sheriff's Office.

MACE investigators allege that Best sent explicit photos of himself to two known female victims–a 16-year-old from Washington Township and a 13-year-old from Bruce Township–and maintained unwanted contact through Facebook and texting.

While in contact with the Washington Township victim, Best portrayed himself as a 20-year-old male by the name of John Simmons, according to MACE investigators. Investigators believe Best may have had contact with additional teens in the area and are continuing that aspect of the investigation.

Best was arrested at his Canton home on Wednesday. The Macomb County Prosecutors Office has authorized the following charges against him:

• One count of distributing sexually explicit, visual or verbal matter to a minor: a two-year felony and/or $10,000 fine
• One count of accosting a minor for immoral purposes: a four-year felony and/or $4,000 fine
• One count of extortion: a 20-year felony or $10,000 fine 
• Three counts of using a computer to commit a crime. For each count, Best could face four-, seven- or 20-year felony and/or fines ranging from $5,000-$20,000

Best appeared in court 42-1 District Court in Romeo on Feb. 23. Bond was at $250,000 cash or surety.

Ways to Protect Your Child Online

• Talk to your children about Internet dangers. Show them the proper way to interact with online strangers, and warn them not to share sensitive information online.
• Review the privacy settings of the social networks, cell phones, and other social tools your children use. Work with children to decide which settings provide the best protection for them. 
• Use parental control software built into Windows 7 or Windows Vista, or that you can download for free like Windows Live Family Safety Settings.
• Monitor the chat areas your children use and teach them to steer clear of individuals who will try to engage them in inappropriate conversation.
• Have children work on the home computer, or keep their laptop in a common area of the house–never a child's bedroom.  
• Have younger children share the family email address rather than have their own accounts. 
• Warn children not to respond to instant messaging, texts, or emails from strangers. 

For more information on how to protect your children online, check out the FBI's parent's guide to Internet safety.

Contact the sheriff's office at 586-469-5151 if you believe your child has been contacted by an online predator.