Charges: Rochester Man Used Dark Web, Social Media in Child Porn Case
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A series of cyber tips has led to multiple counts of child pornography charges being filed against a Rochester man.
See Also: Two Arrested Following Major Rochester Drug Trafficking Bust
The criminal complaint was filed in Olmsted County Court on Friday. Rochester Police received the tips sent by Meta, Snapchat and Microsoft in April.
The tips were related to 26 images and videos of suspect child sexual abuse material found on the platforms between August and September last year. An email address and IP address were also included in the tips, the complaint says.
Rochester Man Accused of Sending Child Pornography Files, Posing as Young Woman & Girl on Social Media
Investigators connected the account information to 32-year-old Matthew Gene Marquardt.
On April 24, law enforcement executed a search warrant at his home and seized a cell phone and computer from the Rochester man.
Investigators found 914 images of suspected child sexual abuse material on Marquardt’s phone and over 1,000 images depicting child sexual abuse that were believed to have been generated by Artificial Intelligence, the charges say.
Browsing activity on the phone indicated Marquardt used browsers to hide his identity while accessing the material through websites found on the so-called “dark web,” according to the complaint.
Authorities also searched his computer and that led to the discovery of thousands of additional images and videos suspected of depicting child sexual abuse, the court document says.
The cyber tips from the social media companies also indicated Marquardt had sent some of the images and videos to other users. He also had two Meta accounts in which he portrayed himself as a young woman and young girl, the charges allege.
The complaint specifically mentions eight images depicting girls ages 4-12 years old engaging in sexual acts.
Marquardt has been charged with two counts of disseminating child pornography and six counts of child pornography possession. He was released without bail following his first court appearance on Friday and is due back in court next month.
More Minnesota News:
- Southeast Minnesota Motorcycle Crash Sends 2 People to Hospital
- Woman Charged for Drug Sales Following Meth Bust in Rochester
- Unbuckled Driver Killed in Crash on Minnesota Interstate
You Won't Believe The List Of Minnesota's 8 Deadliest Animals
