Pierz Man Pleads Guilty to Child Porn Charge

Moments before his federal trial was to begin in Duluth Wednesday, 48-year-old James Daniel Jaschke of Pierz pleaded guilty to one count of possession of child pornography.  He was originally indicted on on a Morrison County complaint, June 15, 2010.

Jaschke admitted to Judge John Tunheim that between August 31 and September 23, 2009, he possessed two video tapes that contained visual depictions of a girl under the age of 12 engaged in sexually explicit activity. He further admitted the tapes, which included no fewer than 300 images, portrayed sadistic or masochistic conduct and other depictions of violence. 

Jaschke faces a potential maximum penalty of ten years in prison.  Sentencing will come at a later date.

The case was the result of an investigation by the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office, the Morrison County Department of Social Services and the FBI.