19-year-old accused of possessing child pornography

A 19-year-old man with a Lake Tomahawk address has been charged with four counts of possession of child pornography, a Class D felony carrying a maximum penalty of 25 years in prison.

Aiden W. Horn made his initial appearance before Oneida County circuit judge Mike Schiek Monday afternoon at which time cash bail, previously set at $5,000, was continued and a preliminary hearing was scheduled for Feb. 16.

According to the criminal complaint, the investigation began with a cyber tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to the Wisconsin Department of Justice Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) task force.

The tip advised that four images of child pornography had been uploaded through the use of a file sharing application. The images were later tied to an IP address belonging to Horn, the complaint states.

A search warrant was executed at his residence on Feb. 1.

Horn was home at the time and agreed to speak with investigators.

According to the complaint, Horn admitted to viewing images of child pornography via the so-called “dark web” and admitted he knew it was wrong.

The main point of contention during Monday afternoon’s court appearance was whether Schiek would grant the state’s request that, as a condition of bond, Horn have no access to the internet while the case is pending.

After noting that the defendant had both family and his employers in court with him, defense attorney Brian Bennett asked that Horn be allowed to use the internet for education, employment and to watch television.

He referred to the “no access to the internet” condition as “very broad” and “kind of a problem in this day and age,” adding that pumping gas “technically” requires use of the internet.

Assistant district attorney Scott Niemi opposed the request, noting that the charges Horn is facing indicate that he has been using the internet in an inappropriate manner.

“Given the nature of the charge, his internet usage is the issue here,” the prosecutor said.

Ultimately, Schiek modified the condition to allow access to the internet only via devices on which the defendant’s parent has installed protective software.

“What you’re charged with is very serious and there are some extreme penalties on this so you need to be monitored,” Schiek told the defendant. “Don’t push the limits,” he added.

Bennett also pushed back on the state’s request that Horn not be allowed to leave the state while the case is pending. Schiek allowed that condition to stand, noting that the defendant can apply for leave of court if he has a specific need to leave the state.