Hastings Man Charged in Federal Child Exploitation Case
A 27-year-old Hastings man is facing federal charges for allegedly producing and possessing child sexual abuse material.
Court documents allege that on May 19, 2022, Hunter James Geidl knowingly possessed a video depicting a minor engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
Investigators also accuse Geidl of using minor victims to create sexually explicit videos between July 29, 2022, and March 22, 2024.
Geidl has been charged with three counts of production and attempted production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. He made his first court appearance Dec. 13 in U.S. District Court, where a judge ordered him to remain in custody pending further proceedings.
The FBI, with assistance from the Hastings Police Department, is continuing to investigate the case and reports there may be additional victims. Anyone with information, or to report possible contact with Geidl, is encouraged to contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or submit a tip online at tips.fbi.gov.
This case was brought under Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating child exploitation and abuse. The program, launched in 2006, coordinates federal, state and local resources to prosecute offenders and identify victims. More information about the program can be found at www.justice.gov/psc.
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