CASPER — A 25-year-old accused of sexual abusing a young child, possessing child porn and bragging about sex acts with young children pleaded not guilty Friday in Natrona County District Court.
Christopher J. Schmidt appeared in jail orange and shackles beside his attorney Kurt Infanger and listened as Judge Joshua Eames summarized the eight felony charges against him, which have been reduced from 10 charges initially brought at his preliminary hearing in Casper Circuit Court.
He is charged with one count of sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree, two counts of sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree, one count of solicitation of sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree, one count of sexual exploitation of children with intent to manufacture or deliver it, and two counts of sexual exploitation of children related to possession of child pornography.
Schmidt also faces another charge related to sexual contact with a child.
During his court appearance, Schmidt appeared engaged and quick to respond to questions from Infanger prior to the hearing and Judge Eames during the hearing.
“Do you understand the charges against you?” Judge Eames asked.
“Yes, sir I do understand,” Schmidt said.
“How do you plea?” Judge Eames asked.
“Not guilty your honor,” Schmidt replied.
Eames then told Infanger that a three-day trial date has been set for September and asked if three days would be enough.
Infanger said they would and added that he thought that he would be able to come to a resolution with the Natrona County District Attorney’s Office before then.
Case Background
Schmidt was arrested May 13 on suspicion of child sexual abuse and child pornography.
He is accused of bragging about sex acts with very young children and inviting other men to participate in the abuse via online chat.
An affidavit of probable cause filed in Casper Circuit Court shows the charges stem from a Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation probe that began with a May 9 FBI assistance request involving Schmidt and an anonymous complaint sent to the FBI’s National Threat Information Center.
The tipster alleged that Schmidt had offered to send the tipster child pornography images.
Subsequent investigation found files that tracked back to Schmidt’s residential address that include video clips and photographs depicting sex acts with prepubescent females.
Investigators also found electronic chats Schmidt allegedly had with other men discussing various alleged acts with underage children.
A DCI search of past cyber tips allegedly connected to Schmidt’s online profile included five files from 2022 that showed images of child pornography, the affidavit states.
He ‘Advertised’
The affidavit, which has been redacted to protect the identities of some people and victims, details several chat conversations Schmidt allegedly had that included words and phrases known to “advertise” underage sex and child pornography.
In executing a search warrant, the affidavit says: “Numerous chats were recovered which indicated (Schmidt) had a sexual interest in children and that a potential sexual assault of a child had occurred. The chats took place throughout April and May 2024.”
For example, in one May 2 exchange, Schmidt allegedly seems excited about the potential to have contact with a very young child, but the age of the potential victim didn’t sit well with the other person, the affidavit says. Undeterred, Schmidt presses on that he wanted to do something “rn” — which stands for “right now” — and that, “I’m horny (emojis displaying three hot/sweating faces with the tongue out).”
In all, investigators cited six conversations about underage sexual contact and child pornography Schmidt allegedly had in May and April, the affidavit says.
Interview and Arrest
On May 13, documents show that special agents interviewed Schmidt and he admitted to seeing his first images of child pornography at age 16 and regularly viewing pornography before going down the “rabbit hole.”
The affidavit states he admitted to viewing and distributing files of child pornography and that recently “his interest in child pornography had become worse.”
He reportedly admitted to offering a child for sex to another social media application user and to sending photos of his private parts to other users.
The affidavit states he allegedly admitted to taking photos of a child that were pornographic, and he also admitted to sexual acts with a child in 2023, taking images of the acts and distributing them.
The charge of sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree carries a prison term of not less than 25 years in prison and not more than 50 years and a fine of up to $10,000 or both. The charge alleges an incident of sexual intrusion on a minor between Aug. 1-31, 2023, in Natrona County.
His two second-degree sexual abuse of a minor charges carry an up-to 20-year prison term and fine of up to $10,000 or both for each. The counts allege sexual contact with a minor victim from Aug. 1-31, 2023.
The charge of solicitation of sexual abuse of a minor in the first degree involves offering a child for sexual abuse in the first degree, but the act was not attempted or committed by other persons. The alleged date of the offense was between April 1 and May 15, 2024. The charge carries a penalty of not less than 25 years in prison and up to 50 years as well as a find of not more than $10,000 or both.
Schmidt remains in the Natrona County Detention Center on a $250,000 cash bond.
Dale Killingbeck can be reached at dale@cowboystatedaily.com.
