Smartphone sex assault suspect charged with additional child porn counts
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Steve Chamraz reports Video by tmj4.com
video
WAUKESHA- New information on a sex assault suspect accused of meeting his victim with a cell phone app.
Daniel Schmidt popped up on police radar months ago.
But his drive for child porn was apparently so strong -- he committed his latest alleged crime -- after he was already under investigation.
When Waukesha police saw Daniel Schmidt's face on the news last week, it was a surprise -- but not a shock.
Last week, the 21-year-old was charged in Milwaukee County with using a smartphone app to meet a 13-year-old boy for sex.
On Monday, Waukesha County prosecutors added 13 more counts -- for possession of child porn.
"When we start an investigation sometimes we'll start with something and we'll end up with something entirely different," said Waukesha Police Sgt. Tom Wagner.
Waukesha police first encountered Schmidt in March -- as part as a drug bust.
According to the criminal complaint -- police looked through Schmidt's phone and discovered a text message conversation with a "...Juvenile about exchanging pictures of their genitals..."
Plus images of "...Potential child pornography..."
Police found more pictures and videos in the west Waukesha home where Schmidt lived with his parents.
Even after that -- Schmidt was apparently undeterred. And earlier this month -- arrested for having sex with a 13-year-old boy in a Hales Corners park.
According to the criminal complaint, Schmidt was downright boastful in some of his text message conversations -- telling others police would never catch him because his computer was encrypted.
Each of the 13 counts -- could bring a 25 year prison sentence.
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