ERIC C. HAATAJA OF APPLETON CHARGED WITH 8 COUNTS OF POSSESSION OF CHILD PORNOGRAPHY

APPLETON, Wis., April 20 -- The Wisconsin Attorney General issued the following news release:

On Wednesday, April 13, 2011, Special Agents from the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) along with Law Enforcement from Appleton Police Department executed a Search Warrant at a residence at 1232 W. Packard Street in the City of Appleton, Outagamie County.

According to the criminal complaint, as a result of the search of the residence a number of electronic storage devices including computer hard drives, optical disks, USB thumb drives and other items were located and seized. A DVD located in the defendant's bedroom, which was hand labeled "porn" was retrieved from the defendant's basement bedroom. An initial preview of the DVD identified videos containing what appeared to be children engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

According to the criminal complaint also located as a result of the search were marijuana and marijuana pipes.

Eric C. Haataja, of Appleton, was arrested and incarcerated in the Outagamie County Jail. Haataja was charged with 8 counts of possession of child pornography, possession of THC, and possession of drug paraphernalia.

According to the complaint, Haataja stated that he used search terms to seek child pornography via Online/Internet tools.

The investigation was the culmination of an undercover Internet child pornography investigation.

A copy of the criminal complaint is available at:

http://www.doj.state.wi.us/news/files/Haataja_Criminal_Complaint.pdf

Questions concerning this case should be directed towards the Outagamie County District Attorney's Office.

A defendant enjoys the presumption of innocence. The prosecution must prove its allegations at trial beyond a reasonable doubt. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com