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Former Bemidji Assistant Principal Charged with Child Sex Crimes
A former Bemidji middle school assistant principal has been arrested and charged with federal child sexual exploitation crimes. Brandon Mark Bjerkes, 34, of Bemidji, Minnesota, was taken into custody on May 30, 2017, and made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota.
According to the federal criminal complaint, Bjerkes posed as a 13-15-year-old male on social media and used decoy photographs to contact minor females and males in middle and high school. He directed the minor victims to send him sexually explicit photographs and engaged in sexually explicit conversations with them.
Some of the minor victims Bjerkes contacted on social media were students at Bemidji Middle School, where he served as assistant principal from 2014 to 2017. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Bjerkes’ Bemidji residence on March 20, 2017, and seized several electronic devices containing sexually explicit photos and videos of multiple known minor victims.
Authorities believe there may be additional victims of Bjerkes’ alleged conduct and are urging anyone with information to contact the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office at 218-333-9111. Callers may remain anonymous.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Angela Munoz-Kaphing. Bjerkes faces charges of production and distribution of child pornography and attempted coercion and enticement of a minor.
Defendant Information:
Brandon Mark Bjerkes, 34, of Bemidji, Minnesota.
Charges:
Production of child pornography, 2 counts.
Distribution of child pornography, 1 count.
Attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, 1 count.
The charges contained in the criminal complaint are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office.
Key Facts
- State: Minnesota
- Category: Sex Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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