The investigation into a Minneapolis police officer's alleged
solicitation of underage girls for sex over the Internet started more than
three months ago, according to court documents.
Brooklyn Center police started the pursuit Oct. 24 after learning
of sexually charged communication on Facebook between an 11-year-old girl and
an account registered to Brady.Schmidt.562@Facebook.com, according to a search
warrant application and supporting affidavit filed Friday, Feb. 15, in Anoka
County Court.
The account holder identified himself to the girl as "Brady
Schmidt" and asked whether she was comfortable with pictures of male
genitalia.
A search warrant executed Nov. 26 for the user's Facebook profile,
as well as all friends and messages associated with the account, led police to
Bradley Schnickel, the document said.
Soon investigators were combing through nearly 9,000 pages of
documents detailing his online life.
The affidavit gives additional insight into how investigators
first learned of the double life the former police officer and father of two is
accused of leading over at least the past year and a half.
He was charged in Anoka County District Court on Feb. 8 with six
felonies, including two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count
of attempted third-degree criminal sexual conduct and three counts of engaging
in electronic communication relating to or describing sexual conduct with a
child.
Minneapolis police announced he was no longer employed with the
force shortly after he was charged.
The complaint alleges that Schnickel developed sexual
relationships with four underage girls online, telling them he liked young
girls and wanted to engage in sexual activity with them.
He allegedly had sex with one of the girls after persuading her to
meet him in person. He is accused of masturbating in a car in front of another
girl.
When he was charged, investigators had read through only a third
of the 9,000 documents seized from Schnickel's online accounts.
With the rest now mostly reviewed, more possible victims could
emerge, said Cmdr. Paul Sommer, spokesman for the Anoka County sheriff's
office.
"There is every possibility that there are multiple
additional victims ,but we have yet to contact or confirm that yet,"
Sommer said.
He explained that though online records suggest Schnickel was
talking to more than the four girls mentioned in the complaint, investigators
still need to link that data to actual people.
"The data itself does not confirm a victim. We have to
confirm a human complainant and confirm what did or did not take place,"
Sommer said.
That will take time, Sommer said, adding that it could be months
before investigators complete their investigation and the Anoka County
attorney's office decides whether to file additional charges against Schnickel.
The Hennepin County attorney's office has yet to file charges
involving the girl from Brooklyn Center.
Schnickel has been in discussion about his case with Fred Bruno,
but the frequent attorney for police officers has not yet been retained, Bruno
said this week.
Neither Schnickel nor his wife could be reached for comment
Friday.
Schnickel was released on bail following his Feb. 8 court
appearance provided he has no contact with juvenile girls.
Sarah Horner can be reached at 651-228-5539. Follow her at
twitter.com/hornsarah.