Bismarck – United States Attorney Drew H. Wrigley announced that two co-defendants have been indicted and detained on federal child exploitation charges. On February 11, 2020 Katie Heidinger of Velva, ND made her initial court appearance on Six Counts of Producing Sexually Explicit Images of Minors and One count of Distribution of Sexually Explicit Images of Minors. Today in federal court, Magistrate Judge Hochhalter ordered that Heidinger be detained without bond, pending trial. Co-defendant Derrick Walker of Minot, ND is charged by the grand jury with the same six counts of production and is also charged in separate count of Receipt of Images Depicting the Sexual Exploitation of Minors. On February 10, 2020, Walker was ordered to be detained, pending trial on the matter. An Indictment is an accusation and notice of charges, and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

"The Federal grand jury has issued indictments alleging numerous counts of child sexual exploitation against Katie Heidinger of Velva, ND and Derrick Walker of Minot, ND," said U.S. Attorney Drew Wrigley "and we are preparing to move toward trial and justice for the multiple child victims in this case."

The federal grand jury indictment alleges that Katie Heidinger possessed numerous videos and images depicting the sexual exploitation of minor children "John Doe One", "John Doe Two", "John Doe Three", "John Doe Four", "Jane Doe One", and "Jane Doe Two". Federal and State investigators allege that Katie Heidinger was involved in a romantic relationship with Derrick Walker and that Heidinger produced and distributed the videos and images, using the internet, at Walker’s request. Heidinger was initially arrested and charged in McHenry County, ND, and remains charged there with multiple counts of Gross Sexual Imposition. Walker was arrested and initially charged in Ward County and currently has no state charges pending.

This case was investigated by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, Ward County Sheriff’s Office, North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the Department of Homeland Security, Minot Office.

Assistant United Sates Attorney Gary Delorme is prosecuting the case.