2 men face charges in connection to sex, computer crimes with girl

Gigante

LUDINGTON — Deputies and detectives from the Mason County Sheriff’s Office have arrested two suspects as the result of a seven-month investigation involving two men and a female juvenile.

MCSO deputies took the original complaint on Jan. 5, and during the course of the investigation served five search warrants and conducted numerous interviews, according to an MCSO press release.

On July 9, detectives swore to a four-count felony warrant charging 49-year-old James Philbrick Gigante of Victory Township with:

Count 1: children — accosting for immoral purposes (four-year maximum and/or $4,000 fine)

Count 2: child sexually abusive material — possession (four-year maximum and/or $10,000 fine)

Counts 3 and 4: computer — using to commit a crime (four-to-10 year maximum)

Ambrose.

An additional multiple felony warrant was also sworn to by detectives stemming from the same investigation for 21-year-old Troy Ambrose of Fountain charging him with:

Count 1: third-degree criminal sexual conduct (CSC) — person 13-15 years of age, (15-year maximum)

Count 2: children — accosting for immoral purposes (four-year maximum and/or $4,000 fine)

Count 3: computers — using to commit a crime (four-to-10 year maximum)

Both suspects were arrested Friday, July 10, at 8:10 a.m. and have since been released on bond.

Gigante posted 10 percent of a $35,000 bond, and Ambrose posted 10 percent of a $10,000 bond.