Former Michigan doctor pleads guilty to receipt of child pornography charges
Erickson was arrested at the Detroit hospital where he worked after FBI agents uncovered the material
A former doctor from Michigan has pleaded guilty to receiving child pornography, federal prosecutors have confirmed.
Guilty plea and charges
Lincoln Erickson, 32, of Farmington Hills, entered a guilty plea to the receipt of child pornography on Wednesday, according to a press release from the United States Attorney's Office. Prosecutors confirmed that Erickson will be required to register as a sex offender upon sentencing.
Arrest at Detroit-area hospital
Erickson had been held in federal custody since his arrest in December 2025, when FBI agents attended the Detroit-area hospital where he was employed as a medical resident.
The United States Attorney's Office stated, citing court records, that investigators discovered videos of minors engaged in sexual acts on his phone, as well as AI-generated imagery depicting nude children in contact with adult men.
Prosecutors further alleged that Erickson attempted to persuade a father to allow him to travel to the family home to bathe the man's children.
According to the criminal complaint, he also reportedly discussed a desire to travel to Thailand to sexually abuse children with another man who was separately arrested.
Authorities additionally allege that Erickson engaged in conversations expressing a fantasy of raising a child with another man in order to abuse and groom the child from infancy.
Prosecutors and FBI respond
U.S. Attorney Gorgon said in a statement included in the press release:
"This pervert was lurking among our trusted medical professionals. At the same time, he was feeding his disgusting appetites and plotting to abuse little children. Thankfully, the FBI caught him when they did."
Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office, also issued a statement:
"Any individual who records, possesses, or distributes child sexual abuse material should expect severe consequences under federal law. This defendant, a former doctor, possessed videos of children engaged in sexual activity.
"We look forward to seeing this predator sentenced. Our FBI Detroit Crimes Against Child Squad, alongside our partner task force officers from the Detroit Police Department, continues to do outstanding work to safeguarding our youth and holding accountable those who seek to harm our most vulnerable citizens in Michigan."
Erickson's sentencing has been scheduled for 15 September 2026.