By Amy Biolchini
The Holland Sentinel
ALLEGAN, Mich. — Allegan Fire District Chief Matthew Gillies, 34, admitted to authorities that he videotaped himself engaging in a sex act with a child at his Allegan home this September — which he later uploaded to the internet, said Detective Gerald Yott with the Michigan State Police’s Computer Crimes Unit.
Gillies was arrested and arraigned Tuesday, Nov. 1, in the 57th District Court on four charges: manufacturing child sexually abusive material, possession of child sexually abusive material, criminal sexual conduct in the second degree and two counts of using a computer to commit a crime.
The child victim was unrelated to Gillies, Yott said. Gillies is out of jail on bond as of Tuesday afternoon, Yott said.
Gillies is suspected of possessing the child sexually abusive material at home and while at work — and used both his personal and work devices, Yott said.
Gillies could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
He was suspended from his new role this fall as fire chief of the city of Allegan and Allegan Township amidst a law enforcement investigation.
The Allegan Fire District Board learned of the investigation regarding Gillies Friday, Oct. 21, and “immediately” placed Gillies on leave without pay, according to a statement the board issued last week.
Gillies was promoted to the district fire chief job September 7, taking over for longtime chief Bruce Hoyer, whose employment the fire board terminated in the spring after 35 years with the fire service, according to the Allegan County News.
The board promoted Gillies from deputy fire chief at a surprise ceremony at Allegan Township Hall Wednesday, Sept. 7, in front of his wife, five children, parents and grandparents. A 2000 graduate of Allegan High School and a U.S. Navy veteran, Gillies joined the Allegan Fire District in 2008.