'Survivor' 2016: Michael Skupin Convicted of Possessing Child Pornography, Could Face Years In Prison [VIDEO]
Survivor contestant Michael Skupin has been found guilty of child pornography possession.
Skupin was convicted of four of six counts of child pornography on Friday, says a spokesperson from Michigan's Oakland County Clerk. Each of these charges could have the Michigan native facing up to four years in prison.
The 54-year-old had pleaded not guilty to 11 counts of child pornography and racketeering, with the latter charges set to be handled next week. The investigation into Skupin began when a woman came forward about his Pay It Forward investing program and said she never received any money back. It was then discovered when looking on Skupin's computer that he was in possession of various images of children in sexual scenarios.
"The children in these videos and images were exploited, and each time the images were shared and viewed continued their suffering," said Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette in a statement. "My hope is that today's conviction will bring some closure to the families and the children that are victims in this case."
Meanwhile, Skupin argued that the computer was used by multiple people and stated it wasn't clear if or when the photos were accessed. He also stated that his Pay It Forward program was not fraudulent.
"This has been the longest, hardest, and most arduous 10 months of my entire life. Nothing compares to it," Skupin said in a statement to People. "Family and friends have both shown up in a big way or have left my life completely. I have witnessed a level of love I never thought possible - and also a level of judgement and abandonment that I never knew existed."
Skupin first appeared on the second season of Survivor, taking place in the Australian Outback. He would become the first contestant to be medically evacuated from the game, after burning his hands in a fire. Skupin returned 23 seasons later for Survivor: Philippines where he made it all the way to the Final 3.
