California Man Admits to Online Sex Exploitation of Wabasha Girl
Wabasha, MN (KROC-AM News) - A California man is expected to spend years in Minnesota's prison system for his conviction involving the exploitation of a young child in southeastern Minnesota.
California Man Pleads Guilty in Wabasha County
Thirty-six-year-old Michael James Gonzalez of Murrieta, California, entered a guilty plea in Wabasha County Court to a charge of use of minors in sexual performance/pornographic work.
96-Month Prison Sentence Recommended in Plea Agreement
His criminal complaint lists a total of 13 felony charges, including 10 counts of use of minors in sexual performance/pornographic work, solicitation of a child through electronic communication to engage in sexual conduct, and engaging in electronic communication relating to or describing sexual conduct with a child. All of the other charges were dismissed through a plea agreement that calls for a 96-month prison sentence.
Investigation Began With Snapchat Messages
The court document says the Wabasha County Sheriff's Office was contacted by an investigator from Humboldt County in California regarding an investigation into a report that a 12-year-old girl had been contacted through Snapchat and asked to provide sexually explicit photos to an unknown person. According to the criminal complaint, investigators were able to link the messages to Gonzalez and more than 30 online accounts that allegedly engaged in communications with juvenile children who were allegedly solicited for nude photos.
Wabasha County Girl Identified as Alleged Victim
The charges against Gonzalez state that a California investigator identified an 11-year-old Wabasha girl as one of the alleged victims. The criminal complaint includes information obtained during an interview with the young girl in June of last year, when she described requests for sexually explicit images in a video, which she provided to Gonzalez. The Wabasha Police Department's investigation of the case noted there were 34 sexually explicit photos and videos of the child included in a review of a Snapchat conversation between the California man and the victim.
An arrest warrant was issued for Gonzalez in May of this year, and court records indicate he was taken into custody in June and was brought to Minnesota to face prosecution.
His sentencing hearing has yet to be scheduled.
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