Minnesota man pleads guilty to producing child sexual abuse material
Minnesota man pleads guilty to producing child sexual abuse material INFORUM
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Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Sexually Explicit Images of a Minor
ST. PAUL — A man originally charged in Kandiyohi County has now pleaded guilty in federal court to producing sexually explicit images of a minor.
U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger announced Friday, Aug. 25, in a news release that Andrew John Groen, 35, pleaded guilty Thursday in U.S. District Court before Judge Jerry W. Blackwell to one count of production and attempted production of child pornography. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later time.
Background
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said in a news release that Groen in November 2022 contacted a minor using the messaging application TextMe, according to the defendant’s guilty plea and court documents. Groen, who knew the child was a minor, identified himself in messages as a 19-year-old man named “Tyler.”
According to the news release, Groen on multiple occasions coerced the minor to send sexually explicit images. Groen also sent the minor obscene images and links to pornography, and encouraged the minor to have sex with an adult man identified in messages.
Investigation and Prosecution
The investigation was conducted by the FBI and the Willmar Police Department, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Hillary A. Taylor is prosecuting the case, according to the news release.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 4: Quality Education
- Goal 5: Gender Equality
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Conclusion
The U.S. Attorney’s Office news release identified Groen as a Kandiyohi County man. Publicly available state court records show a Prinsburg address in 2010. Some 2015 and 2016 Minnesota court documents list a rural Renville address, but the most recent state court documents show Cold Spring and Royalton addresses. A Royalton address was listed in January 2023 when he was charged in Kandiyohi County with one felony count of distributing to a child, via electronic communication, material that describes sexual conduct. The complaint filed in Kandiyohi County District Court detailed Groen contacting a 13-year-old juvenile who resided in Willmar. The Kandiyohi County case was dismissed by the prosecutor in June after Groen was indicted in the same matter in federal court.
About the Author
Susan Lunneborg is the news editor of the West Central Tribune in Willmar, Minnesota. A journalist for more than 25 years, she has worked as a reporter and editor at newspapers in the Dakotas and Minnesota. Lunneborg can be reached at: slunneborg@wctib.com or 320-214-4343.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 5: Gender Equality – The article discusses the production of sexually explicit images involving a minor, which relates to the issue of gender-based violence and exploitation.
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – The article mentions the involvement of law enforcement agencies in investigating the case and prosecuting the perpetrator, highlighting the importance of strong institutions and access to justice.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls – The production of sexually explicit images involving a minor is a form of violence against a girl.
- SDG 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against children – The production of child pornography mentioned in the article is a form of abuse and exploitation of a child.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
The article does not explicitly mention any indicators. However, potential indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets include:
- Number of reported cases of child pornography production and distribution
- Number of convictions and sentences for individuals involved in child pornography
- Number of awareness campaigns and educational programs on preventing child exploitation
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls | – Number of reported cases of violence against girls – Number of convictions for perpetrators of violence against girls |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against children | – Number of reported cases of child abuse and exploitation – Number of convictions for perpetrators of child abuse and exploitation |
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Source: inforum.com
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