United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Saint Cloud, Minnesota, man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Production of Child Pornography, Transfer of Obscene Material to a Minor, Travel with Intent to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct with a Minor, and Attempted Enticement of a Minor Using the Internet.

Nathan Paul Grondahl, age 24, was indicted on December 10, 2019.  He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Veronica L. Duffy on December 17, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.

The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to life in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, life of supervised release, and up to $400 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund.  Restitution may also be ordered.

The Indictment alleges that on November 19, 2019, Grondahl knowingly persuaded a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct for the purpose of producing visual depictions, knowing such depictions would be transported in interstate or foreign commerce, or mailed, and would be produced using materials that had been mailed, shipped, and transported in interstate and foreign commerce, including by a computer.  Grondahl also used a cellular telephone to transfer and attempt to transfer obscene materials to a minor, who had not attained the age of 16.

The Indictment also alleges that on November 22, 2019, Grondahl knowingly traveled to engage in sexual conduct with the same minor.  Grondahl again used his cellular telephone to attempt to knowingly persuade that minor to engage in sexual activity.

The charges are merely accusation and Grondahl is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. 

The investigation is being conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey C. Clapper is prosecuting the case.   

Grondahl was released on bond pending trial.  A trial date has not been set.