WADENA-A 45-year-old Wadena man faces 10 felony counts of possessing pornographic work involving a minor.
Aaron Dean Ferguson was summoned June 23 in Wadena County District Court on the charges and is scheduled for a first court appearance at 1:30 p.m. July 24 in front of Judicial Officer Sally I. Robertson.
Each of the felony counts carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and/or a $5,000 fine.
The incidents leading to the charges occurred between June 22, 2016 and March 2 in Wadena. Ferguson is accused of possessing pornographic work or a computer disk or computer or other electronic, magnetic or optical storage system or a storage system of any other type containing a pornographic work, knowing its content and character.
According to the statement of probable cause filed June 23 against Ferguson, on June 22, a CyberTip was received from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children regarding the apparent possession of child pornagraphy. Google submitted a tip indicating the user associated with a phone number and email address had uploaded two media files to Google+ Photos containing child pornagraphy. Subpoenas were requested through the Minnesota Attorney General's office.
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An agent reviewed the images of suspected child pornography and found them to be the same or similar images of depicting a prepubescent female. The investigation continued to a period of time to collect the voluminous materials associated with the investigation.
On March 2, investigators made contact with Ferguson outside his Wadena residence to talk to him about child pornography. He was advised on his rights. He admitted to agents that he had images of underage girls on devices inside the home. He said he had sexually explicit images of young girls, as young as 8, on his cellphone, the document stated. He stated he utilized his cellphone to view sexually explicit images and does not have a computer or home Wi-Fi.
Ferguson denied having devices, other than a cellphone, containing child pornographic material.
He told agents he started looking at sexually explicit materials involving children "a couple of months ago" because he "was curious,", the document stated.
Agents were aware he had been subject of an allegation several years ago where he allegedly took pictures of a young female living in his home. He told the agent the allegation was false and that he has never taken inappropriate pictures of children. Ferguson recalled an incident in the past when he received an image of child pornogrphy via email. He stated he had been chatting with a female on Google chat. He received pornographic image from her and he emailed it back to her. He said he often uses Google chat or Facebook messenger to chat with others online. He denied any other dissemination of file sharing of child pornography.
Agents executed a search warrant on March 2 and Ferguson immediately stated there were images on his phone he probably shouldn't have, the document stated. He lead the agent to his main floor bedroom and retrieved his phone, which was lying on the bed. Agents took photos of the residence and documented a comprehensive list of items seized during the search warrant process.
Agents extracted data of images and videos of child pornography and of bestiality from Ferguson's devices. He had two cellphones, one which was active, and both contained thousands of images with more than 100 images were potentially child pornography and bestiality, the document stated.
The Wadena Police Department, the primary agency on the case, was assisted by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and Wadena County Sheriff's Office.
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The Wadena Police Chief Naomi Plautz stated in a news release that she would like remind people that the children in the photos are being forced to conduct such behavior. She said people can go to the NCMEC's website at www.missingkids.com/home for more information.
"Please be vigilant in reporting suspicious activity involving minor children," Plautz stated. "We also recommend you sign up for Amber Alerts on your phone, which can be done on the website.
"The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has excellent advice and tips so you know what to look for. To report a child you believe is being sexually exploited call 1-800- THE-LOST."
The Wadena Police Department was assisted by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and Wadena County Sheriff's Office.
