Casper man pleads guilty to multiple charges of child sexual abuse/exploitation

NOTE: This article contains information about child sexual abuse charges.

CASPER, Wyo. — A Casper man pleaded guilty Friday in Natrona County District Court to seven of nine counts of child sexual abuse and possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material.

Christopher James Schmidt, born in 1998, filed his request with District Judge Joshua Eames.

Depending on the results of the pre-sentence investigation, the sentences set forth in state law and whether the proposed sentences are concurrent or consecutive, Schmidt faces a minimum prison sentence of 25 to 55 years and a maximum of 147 years, according to the indictment sworn statement.

Two of the charges are first-degree sexual abuse of a minor. Both charges carry a prison sentence of 25 to 50 years.

One of the charges for child sexual exploitation includes “producing, generating, receiving, distributing, reproducing, supplying or possessing with intent to supply child pornography, including by digital or electronic means,” which is punishable by five to 12 years in prison.

Three counts of child sexual exploitation – possession of child pornography – are punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

Other child sexual abuse charges were dropped as part of the plea agreement between Public Defender Kurt Infanger and Chief Deputy District Attorney Blaine Nelson.

The judge is not a party to the plea agreement.

Schmidt is presumed innocent unless proven guilty or pleaded guilty. He is being held on $250,000 cash-only bail.

The case began on May 7, when the FBI contacted the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation’s Computer Crimes Unit about an anonymous tip, which led to the discovery of five files containing child pornography on an account registered to Schmidt.

On May 9, investigators received another tip about social media conversations with Schmidt that indicated a victim was in danger in the near future. The victim of the sexual abuse allegations was an infant, the documents said.

The investigation uncovered subsequent cybertips of child abuse material — videos and still images — from June 2022 to May 2024 to the Internet Protocol address associated with Schmidt. Other evidence included conversations Schmidt had with others interested in child abuse material.

Schmidt was arrested on May 13 by Casper police and Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation officers assigned to the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

No date has yet been set for the verdict.