ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. — A man was charged in federal court after accusations he used his phone to share pictures of women and children in the St. Louis area online.
On March 27, 37-year-old Erik Elsasser was indicted in U.S. District Court on one felony count of distribution of child sexual abuse material. He pleaded not guilty.
The charges accuse Elsasser of distributing photos and videos containing child sexual abuse material between August 2022 and August 2023.
The Brentwood Police Department, the St. Charles County Police Department and the FBI investigated Elsasser's case.
According to the press release from the U.S. attorney's office, Elsasser secretly recorded a partially nude minor in a store changing room. Investigators found other videos in changing rooms, three videos of women in residential restrooms taken through windows, and around 200 successful or attempted "upskirt" photos all on his phone.
The investigation also found evidence of distributing the child sexual abuse material online.
There is a motion seeking to hold Elsasser in jail until his trial.
If convicted, Elsasser is facing between five to 20 years in prison distribution, a $250,000 fine, or both.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Hayes has decided to continue criminal action against Elsasser.
"This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice," According to the press release from the U.S. attorney's office.
Resources for crime victims:
If you have been a victim of a crime or know someone who has been, 5 On Your Side has compiled a list of resources.
The Crime Victim Center of St. Louis has multiple programs to support victims of crime. Crime Victim Center’s programs range from direct services to crime victims as well as “creating awareness and change within the systems they encounter.
Life Outside of Violence "helps those harmed by stabbing, gunshot or assault receive the treatment, support and resources they need to find alternatives to end the cycle of violence."
The Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis has the Neighborhood Healing Network, which serves people who have experienced crime, violence or been the victim of an incident that caused trauma.
