Posted: 5/10/05
Gieser arrested on child porn charges
By Jane Palen
Managing Editor
A long-time Caledonia Elementary School music teacher was arrested Monday, May 2 in Wabasha, on charges of possessing and distributing child pornography.
Craig Gieser, 48, appeared in Third District Court on Tuesday morning, May 3, shackled and wearing an orange jumpsuit and slippers.
County attorney Rick Jackson asked Judge Robert Benson, who was presiding via closed-circuit television, for $50,000 unconditional bond, $25,000 conditional. Jackson described Gieser as a public safety risk, particularly to individuals under the age of 18.
Gieser told Judge Benson, ìI am not a flight risk. Iím not going to be leaving the area.î He said he has suffered from depression for 15 years, and has never been in trouble with the law.
ìI was never even in a squad car until last night,î he told the judge.
Gieserís attorney, Peter Ekstrand, was not present.
Benson set bail at $50,000/$15,000. Gieser posted his bond and was released.
Local authorities were alerted after an undercover detective in New Hampshire, posing as a 14-year-old boy in an internet chat room, attracted the attention of the suspect. According to the police report, a person using the internet name ìcgiese1010î asked the ìboyî for pictures, and the detective sent pictures of himself as a 14-year- old. One was a school photo, and the others were of him in sports uniforms.
ISD #299 Superintendent Michael Moriarty told The Argus that Gieser was suspended from his job as soon as the charges were known. He has been a teacher for 26 years. All computers to which Gieser had access were examined and nothing was found which would indicate that school equipment was compromised in any way.
There are three felony charges listed on the complaint. The first is dissemination of pornography involving a minor, punishable by seven years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine; and the other two are counts of possession of child pornography, both punishable by 5 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
Gieser will appear in court for a Rule 8 hearing Monday, May 16 at 10:30.
David Heiller contributed to this report.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com