Arrest Warrant Issued for Rochester Man Accused of Soliciting Sex from a Minor, Possessing & Disbursing Child Porn

Update: Rochester Man Wanted for Teen Prostitution & Child Pornography Now in Custody  

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Authorities have issued an arrest warrant for a Rochester man wanted for alleged sexual solicitation of a minor and child pornography crimes. 

See Also: Charges: Drunk Driver Fled Rochester Police at High Speeds 

The warrant was filed in Olmsted County Court on Monday. A cyber tip received by Rochester police in October got the case started. 

The tip alleged a person was soliciting minors to engage in sexual acts. 

Rochester Man Accused of Paying Minor for Sex, Possessing & Distributing Child Pornography

Investigators traced a phone number included in the tip to 44-year-old Joel Alan Ashbacher, the complaint says. 

In November, police stopped Ashbacher as he was leaving his northwest Rochester residence after obtaining a search warrant for his person, vehicle and home. 

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During the search police seized multiple devices that were storing 117 files of suspected child sexual abuse material. The charges highlight one image and two videos depicting adults engaging in forced sexual conduct with boys ranging in age from six months to eight years old. 

Investigators also found chats between Ashbacher and other users on an app in which Ashbacher talked about having sex with a boy who said he was 16 years old, the complaint says. 

The charges allege Ashbacher paid the boy for sex. The Rochester man also allegedly sent photos of the juvenile victim’s private parts in the app chats. 

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, resources are available for help. Visit the RAINN website (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) or dial 800-656-HOPE (800-656-4673).

Ashbacher is charged with one count of dissemination of child pornography, three counts of possession of child pornography and prostitution hiring a person believed to be a person between the ages of 16 and 18. 

The warrant says Ashbacher has only been seen at his home once since the search warrant execution and that he is believed to be a flight risk. Authorities also say Ashbacher poses a threat to public safety, especially young children.