Tyler Michael Berlick, Child Exploitation, South Carolina 2023

A federal grand jury in Greenville, South Carolina, has returned a three-count indictment against Tyler Michael Berlick, 35, of Muskego, Wisconsin, for traveling across state lines with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, transporting a minor across state lines with the intent to engage in sexual conduct, and production of child sexual abuse materials.

Berlick was charged with these crimes after investigators alleged that he met a 13-year-old child through an online game and believed she was underage. He then traveled from Wisconsin to South Carolina, where he allegedly planned to engage in illicit sexual activity with the minor. Berlick then transported the child to Florida with the intent to engage in further illicit sexual conduct.

The indictment also alleges that Berlick produced child sexual abuse materials, which is a serious federal crime. The production of such materials is a form of child exploitation and abuse that can have long-lasting and devastating effects on the victims.

Berlick faces a maximum penalty of life in prison for these crimes. He is scheduled to be arraigned on May 23 at 10 a.m. before Magistrate Judge Kevin McDonald.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the U.S. Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The initiative marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

The case was investigated by the FBI Columbia Field Office, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI Miami Field Office, the Lantana Police Department (Florida), the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (Florida), and the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department (Wisconsin). Assistant U.S. Attorney Winston Marosek is prosecuting the case.

U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs stated that all charges in the indictment are merely accusations and that defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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