Blooming Prairie man pleads guilty to international sexual exploitation of children – ABC 6 News

(ABC 6 News) – A Blooming Prairie man has pleaded guilty to sexually exploiting children outside the United States, U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger announced.

According to court documents, 61-year-old Steven John Sokel was involved in the production of child pornography between April 2022 and September 2022. He was also found to be in possession of sexually explicit images and videos of minors.

Sokel had previously pleaded not guilty in April and was actually released from custody on April 25.

However, the U.S. Attorney’s Office filed a motion to vacate the order the same day, citing allegations that Sokel had abused another child in 2010, had been tried for a child sex crime in 1988, and had had contact with the children he allegedly exploited in Thailand, making him a flight risk.

Related topics: Blooming Prairie man charged with child sexual exploitation released; prosecutor seeks renewed custody

Sokel pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court before Judge Eric T. Tostrud to sexual abuse of children. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Campbell Warner is prosecuting this case.