GRAND CHUTE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A former part-time Grand Chute police community service officer previously charged with possession of child pornography is now facing federal charges.
A federal grand jury returned a two-count indictment against 23-year-old Casey Welk of Appleton.
According to the indictment, in December of 2019, Welk knowingly distributed pornographic images of prepubescent children.
Welk is charged with two counts of distribution of child pornography. Each count carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years of incarceration in federal prison.
Last month, Welk pleaded not guilty to ten child pornography possession charges in state court.
According to that case’s criminal complaint, an online tip claimed child porn images were posted to Instagram. Outagamie County Sheriff’s officials tracked the account to Welk’s address. After tracing his IP address deputies found Welk allegedly shared and received child pornography through Instagram.
Welk told officer he had trouble with pornography, and his viewing progressed from adult porn to child porn. He also called his trouble with porn “pathetic” saying he was relieved to get caught, according to the criminal complaint.
Welk worked for Grand Chute police as a community service officer at the time state charges were filed in February. He resigned days afterwards, the department said.
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