Schroeder Gets 15 Years for Trafficking Teen

ST. LOUIS, MO – Christopher Schroeder, a resident of Marthasville, Missouri, will spend the next 15 years behind bars after being sentenced today for the horrific crime of trafficking a minor across state lines for sexual exploitation. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Henry Autrey, bringing a degree of closure to a case that exposed a predator exploiting vulnerable youth.

Court documents detail a chilling sequence of events beginning in late October or early November 2015. Schroeder, then a calculating adult, connected with a 15-year-old female residing in Brooklyn, Ohio, through the online chat platform KIK. This wasn’t a chance encounter; it was a deliberate grooming process. Schroeder traveled to Ohio, picked the girl up at a pre-arranged meeting spot, and drove her across state lines to his home in Marthasville, Missouri.

Once at his residence, Schroeder engaged in sexual intercourse with the minor. The depravity didn’t end there. He callously recorded two of the sex acts without her knowledge, turning a horrific violation into a permanent, damaging record. This act underscores the predatory and exploitative nature of his crimes, demonstrating a complete disregard for the victim’s dignity and well-being.

Schroeder pled guilty in July to one felony count of transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity – a charge that accurately reflects the severity of his actions. The guilty plea, while a step towards accountability, doesn’t erase the trauma inflicted upon the victim. The 15-year sentence, however, sends a clear message that such predatory behavior will not be tolerated.

The investigation into Schroeder’s crimes was a collaborative effort, spearheaded by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and bolstered by the Brooklyn Police Department, the St. Charles County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, and the Warren County Sheriff’s Department. These agencies worked tirelessly to uncover the truth and bring Schroeder to justice, highlighting the importance of inter-agency cooperation in combating these heinous crimes.

Assistant United States Attorney Colleen Lang skillfully prosecuted the case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, ensuring that Schroeder faced the full weight of the law. This case serves as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking online and the need for continued vigilance in protecting vulnerable children from predators who exploit technology to facilitate their crimes. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this story and report on similar cases as they unfold.

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