Bad Axe is a city of about 3,000 residents and is the county seat of Huron County, Michigan. The city is located in the Thumb region of the Lower Peninsula. At least one web-based reverse sting has occurred in the city.

In March 2023, two men arrested in a July 2022 sting pleaded “no contest” in Huron County 52nd Circuit Court to charges including child sexually abusive material (CSAM), using a computer to commit a crime, and accosting a child for immoral purposes. In Michigan, these felonies are punishable by up to 20 years in prison each for CSAM and using a computer to commit a crime, and up to 4 years in prison for accosting a child. Three men were arrested in the July 2022 sting conducted by a multi-agency task force targeting individuals who sought to sexually abuse minors. Deputies from the GHOST team coordinated the operation with support from other agencies and the FBI. During the 10-hour operation, undercover officers used internet sites known for prostitution to pose as minors and communicate with suspects, eventually setting up a meeting place at a Bad Axe hotel, where the suspects were arrested upon arrival. All three suspects acknowledged their intentions during post-arrest interviews. The men’s identities were revealed to the press.