Minneapolis (WCCO) — A 25-year-old Burnsville man and former substitute teacher has pleaded guilty to allegedly torturing more than 10 minors as part of a “year-long sextortion scheme,” according to federal prosecutors.
On Tuesday, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota announced that Michelle Oettinger pleaded guilty to two counts of specifically production and attempted production of child pornography and one count of interstate communications with intent to extort.
Read more: Vaccine Doubt Fuels Dr. Scott Jensen’s Rise in the Minnesota Gubernatorial Race
According to court documents, the former substitute teacher and paraprofessional obtained sexually explicit images and videos of minors and adults using false online persons. He then threatened to release pictures and videos to extract more pictures and videos from the victims.
“Over the years Oettinger hunted more than 10 minors, some of whom he knew from the school district where he worked,” the US Attorney’s office said in a release.
Read more: ‘Perfect timing to go’: MEA marks one of the busiest travel weekends of fall
Law enforcement launched an investigation into the sexual abuse when one of the victims alerted the FBI’s National Threat Operations Center.
It is believed that there may be more victims of sextortion scheme. Anyone with information about the case is asked to call the FBI Minneapolis Division at 763-569-8000.
A date for Oettinger’s sentencing has not yet been set.
More news: A ride with Minneapolis police shows how staff shortages have thinned officers
.