Ex-Minneapolis cop charged with sex abuse of young girls

Bradley Schnickel, 32, a former Minneapolis police officer, was charged with six felonies Friday in Anoka County after authorities say he engaged in sexual contact and solicited sex via social media sites with several girls under the age of 16.

The Schnickel case began with an alleged victim in Brooklyn Center, then led to Anoka County, where authorities say there could be other victims.

Operating under the name of “Brady Schmidt,” authorities say Schnickel used Facebook to solicit sex and exchange nude photos with at least five different girls under the age of 16 over the past year and a half.

Anoka County Attorney Tony Palumbo says authorities are looking through social networking documentation.

“The allegations are that he misled these young girls into believing that he was much younger,” Palumbo said.

The investigation began in Brooklyn Center last October when police were contacted by a mother worried about her juvenile daughter’s alleged contact with Schnickel.

“We initially got a call from a concerned mother that had found what she thought were inappropriate pictures or texting on her daughter’s phone,” says Brooklyn Center police spokesperson Tim Gannon.

That case is in the hands of Hennepin County for possible charging, but it was the Brooklyn Center Police Department’s investigation that led to alleged victims in Anoka County. According to the criminal complaint, Schnickel had sex with a 14-year-old girl and solicted at least three other minors.

Anoka County Attorney Tony Palumbo called the case a “teachable moment” for parents.

“As we know, the Internet is obviously a doorway into your home, that doorway needs to be monitored by parents.”

Schnickel’s bail was set at $500,000. He’s ordered not to have contact with any juvenile girls, including his own 2-year-old and six–month–old daughters. Schnickel’s next court date is March 6.

Alexandra Renslo, reporting

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