BREAKING NEWS: Blooming Prairie man faces federal child porn charges
A Blooming Prairie man has been indicted for allegedly sexually exploiting children outside the country, according to a press release from the United States Attorney Office.
Steven John Sokel, 61, is facing two counts of sexual exploitation of children and one count of possession of child pornography.
According to court documents, between November 2021, and April, 2022, Sokel allegedly “by aiding and abetting other individuals” coerced three minor girls outside of the country “ to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions.”
He is also accused of possessing sexually explicit images and videos of minors.
He was denied bail pending a formal detention hearing, after making his initial appearance on April 19.