A chilling indictment has been unsealed against Steven John Sokel, 61, of Blooming Prairie, Minnesota, for his alleged role in the international sexual exploitation of children.
According to court documents, between November 2021 and April 2022, Sokel, aided and abetted by other individuals, coerced three minor girls outside of the United States to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions.
The indictment charges Sokel with two counts of sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of child pornography. This heinous crime has left law enforcement and experts reeling, highlighting the darker side of the internet.
The investigation into Sokel’s activities was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, underscoring the growing threat of international child sex exploitation.
“We will not tolerate the exploitation of our most vulnerable citizens, and we will pursue those who engage in this heinous behavior to the fullest extent of the law,” said U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger in a statement.
Sokel made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court on April 19, 2024, before Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz. He was ordered to remain in custody pending a formal detention hearing. Assistant U.S. Attorney Campbell Warner is prosecuting the case.
It is essential to note that an indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Related Federal Cases
- Minneapolis Man Gets 16 Years for Child Porn, Sexually Exploiting Minors · Minnesota
- Koenck Gets 30 Years for Exploiting a Child · Minnesota
- Child Predator Pleads Guilty to Exploiting 250 Minors on Snapchat · Minnesota
- Minneapolis Man Charged with Sexually Assaulting Subordinate at Fort Irwin · Minnesota
- Man Sentenced to 72 Months for Sexually Abusing Minors · Minnesota
Key Facts
- State: Minnesota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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