POLK COUNTY -- Charges have been filed after the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) investigated a tip regarding child pornography.
A social media messaging app provided a tip to DCI regarding the possible transfer of child pornography.
The subsequent investigation into that tip led investigators to Matthew Bader, of Centuria, WI. A criminal complaint filed against Bader states that an email address associated with the social messaging app was connected to Bader.
Authorities contacted Bader and spoke to him; however, when access to his electronic devices was requested, Bader stated, “I’m just not sure if I should talk to a lawyer first or not”.
Special Agents for DCI decided to obtain a search warrant at that time, and Bader supplied passwords for multiple devices, according to the criminal complaint. The search warrant was executed on December 17, 2019 and several items were seized from Bader’s residence, including several electronic devices and a sex toy modeled after an infant.
A cell phone located in Bader’s pants pocket at the time of the search warrant was found to contain multiple child pornography files including photos and videos of prepubescent children engaged in sexually explicit activities, according to the criminal complaint filed against Bader.
Authorities placed Bader under arrest and at a hearing on December 18, 2019, the Court placed Bader on a $10,000 signature bail bond.
Bader has been charged with 10 counts of Class D Felony Possession of Child Pornography for which the maximum penalty on each count is 25 years imprisonment.
A preliminary examination hearing on Bader’s criminal charges is scheduled at the end of December 2019.
Pursuant to the direction of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicly, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Last Update: Dec 24, 2019 7:47 am CST
