A Mankato man, Mitchell Ray Williams, 39, faces multiple charges related to child sexual abuse material production and possession. Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick announced the indictment.
Court documents reveal that in October 2024, Williams engaged minors in sexually explicit conduct to produce child sexual abuse material videos. Between October 1 and November 1, 2024, he possessed and advertised visual depictions of minors involved in such conduct.
Williams is charged with one count each of production and attempted production of child pornography, advertisement of child pornography, and possession of child pornography. He appeared in U.S. District Court on February 5, 2025, where Magistrate Judge Douglas L. Micko ordered him to remain in custody pending further proceedings. An arraignment hearing is set for March 11, 2025.
The FBI conducted the investigation as part of Project Safe Childhood. This initiative by the Department of Justice began in May 2006 to address the growing issue of child sexual exploitation and abuse. It involves federal, state, and local resources aimed at locating offenders who exploit children online and rescuing victims.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristian Weir is handling the prosecution.
"An indictment is merely an allegation," noted officials, emphasizing that "the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."