Rickie G. Woodring - Pedophile embezzled from elderly mother

"He's a predator. He's a predator on seniors -- his own mother and he's a predator on children,"


An embezzlement case involving a Grand Blanc Township man has also become a child pornography investigation.

According to investigators, Rickie Woodring, 50, stole nearly $190,000 from his elderly mother. He's accused of using the money to buy and sell coins, sports collectibles and even KISS concert tickets on eBay.

Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell says this investigation uncovered something that's even more disturbing.

Pickell says while investigators searched Woodring's bedroom, they found pictures of naked, young girls on the floor by his bed.

Pickell says the bedroom window faces a local school.

"My investigators learned that the Grand Blanc Township police investigated Woodring on a child abuse case going back to 2000. I'm told they have now reopened the case, and will be contacting school officials to determine if the school received any complaints," Pickell said during a Thursday morning news conference.

The little girl in that case, according to Pickell, was 4 years old at the time.

What led investigators to Woodring in the first place was a complaint from his mother's court-appointed legal guardian. Pickell says that guardian was suspicious of withdrawals made by Woodring from accounts jointly held with his mother.

A search of a Dort Highway storage unit uncovered various property, including $42,000 in cash, $20,000 in mint coins, sports memorabilia and 30 tickets to an upcoming KISS concert at Cobo Arena.

Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton charged Woodring with six counts of embezzlement of jointly-held property, 13 counts of producing child sexually abusive activity and one count of possession of child sexually abusive material.

"He's a predator. He's a predator on seniors -- his own mother and he's a predator on children," Leyton said.

Woodring remains in the Genesee County Jail on a $250,000 bond.