BLAINE, Minn. – (Jan. 26, 2018) – United States Attorney Gregory G. Brooker today announced the conviction of Scott Francis Fortier, 38, for producing and possessing video files containing child pornography. Fortier, who was charged in a superseding indictment on August 23, 2017, with one count of production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography, was found guilty on both counts by a federal jury in Minneapolis, Minn.
“This disturbing case involved a defendant who preyed on two minor victims whom he met at a horseback riding summer camp,” said Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Middlecamp. “After hearing the evidence presented at trial, the jury swiftly returned a guilty verdict. I am thankful to the victims who courageously testified at trial and to the jury for rendering this just verdict.”
As proven at trial, Fortier was associated for many years with Circle R Ranch (“the Camp”), a co-ed horseback riding summer camp located in Todd County, Minn. Through his involvement with the Camp, Fortier met a 17-year-old minor (“Minor Victim #1). On September 9, 2016, Fortier invited Minor Victim #1 and her 15-year-old friend (Minor Victim #2) to his house in Blaine, Minn., where he gave them both alcohol and subsequently used each minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct. Fortier used his cell phone to produce multiple videos of himself engaging in the sexually explicit conduct with Minor Victim #1 and Minor Victim #2. Following an execution of a search warrant, law enforcement discovered that Fortier also possessed videos of children under the age of 12 engaging is sexually explicit conduct, along with thousands of other images of child pornography.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorney’s Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.justice.gov/psc.
This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office, the Todd County Sheriff’s Office, and the FBI.
Based on the evidence obtained in this case, authorities believe there may be additional victims who have not yet been identified. Anyone with information about this matter is encouraged to call the FBI at 763-569-8395. Callers may remain anonymous.
