By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Mercer County stated that an investigation into online minor exploitation by the prosecutor’s Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Unit has resulted in the arrest of a Trenton man.
Mercer County Prosecutor Janetta D. Marbrey said that Travis Reisen, 45, is charged with one count of first-degree manufacturing explicit materials involving minors (CSAM), one count of second-degree explicit contact, one count of third-degree possession of CSAM, one count of third-degree endangering the welfare of a child, and one count of fourth-degree tampering with evidence.
The prosecutor’s office has filed a motion to detain Reisen pending trial, MCPO officials say.
According to Mercer County officials, the investigation was initiated in Idaho, where a mother reported to an officer with the Twin Falls Police Department that her 14-year-old daughter was a victim of online explicit exploitation.
The investigation revealed that the victim posted an advertisement online seeking babysitting opportunities and was contacted by a male asking about her services, Mercer County authorities said.
MCPO officials stated the individual proceeded to engage in explicit conversation with the child and extorted images/video from the victim, portraying her in an explicit manner.
Authorities identified Reisen, residing in Trenton, as a subject, and the Twin Falls Police Department contacted the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, MCPO officials said.
Mercer County officials say that on Tuesday, July 22, the prosecutor’s ICAC Unit, with assistance from the Special Victims Unit, the Economic Crime Unit, the Cyber Crimes Unit, and the Mercer County Tactical Response Team, executed a search warrant at Reisen’s residence on Lee Avenue, where detectives seized multiple items of evidentiary value.
Reisen was taken into custody without incident and transported to the Mercer County Correction Center, according to Mercer County officials.
First-degree crimes carry a sentence of 10 to 20 years in state prison and a fine of up to $200,000, MCPO officials stated. Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000.
The investigation is ongoing.