The one-count indictment alleges that the offense occurred in Waterloo on or about February 15, 2017. Earlier today, Brueggemann made his initial appearance in federal court. Brueggemann pleaded not guilty to the charge and was released on bond with electronic location monitoring and other special conditions. His trial is currently set for October 23, 2018. If convicted of the charge, Brueggemann faces at least five years and no more than 20 years in prison, a fine not to exceed $250,000, and a possible lifetime term of supervised release. He may also be asked to make restitution to any identified victims of his offense. An indictment is a formal charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of a charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury. The case is being investigated by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department and the Springfield Electronic Crime Unit/Southern Illinois Cyber Group of the Secret Service. The prosecution is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Hoell.
-- Southern District of Illinois