Thief River Falls man sentenced to 45 years on child pornography charges

A 39-year-old Thief River Falls man has been sentenced to 45 years in prison for production and attempted production of child pornography, according to United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald.

Benjamin Joseph Roggenbuck, 39, of Thief River Falls, pleaded guilty on Sept. 17 and was sentenced on Tuesday to 45 years in prison for production and attempted production of child pornography.

Roggenbuck is also sentenced to a lifetime of supervised release.

“The sentence handed down today ensures that this predator will no longer pose a threat or cause harm to innocent children,” said MacDonald. “I commend our law enforcement partners who stand with the U.S. Attorney’s Office in our fight against child exploitation.”

“While 45 years in prison is appropriate for this case, these children are now permanent victims of a crime no person should ever experience,” said Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans. “The BCA will continue to pursue criminals who would exploit Minnesota’s children in this terrible way and bring them to justice.”

Thief River Falls man charged with production, distribution of child pornography

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed with the court, between November 2012 and February 2020, Roggenbuck used or attempted to use two prepubescent minor children to produce visual depictions of sexually explicit conduct. Roggenbuck also admitted to possessing and distributing sexually explicit images depicting prepubescent minors. As part of the plea agreement, Roggenbuck also pleaded guilty to first-degree criminal sexual conduct charges brought by the Pennington County Attorney’s Office.