A Thief River Falls man made his initial federal court appearance yesterday and is facing four charges related to child pornography.
According to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, 38-year-old Benjamin Joseph Roggenbuck was ordered to remain in custody pending further proceedings.
According to the allegations in the unsealed indictment, between Feb. 12-20 of this year, Roggenbuck used or attempted to use two minor children to produce child pornography. The indictment also alleges that Roggenbuck knowingly distributed and possessed child pornography.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
The Thief River Falls Police Department assisted the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension with the investigation.
