A former Marquette University track and field athlete accused of having sex with a 13-year-old girl and other sex crimes is now facing additional federal charges, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
On June 2, a federal grand jury indicted 22-year-old William Waterstradt of Green Bay on three charges related to the sexual exploitation of children.
According to the criminal complaint:
Waterstradt used a fake Snapchat account to facilitate the exploitation of numerous underage girls, some as young as 12 years old. He falsely claimed to be 16 or 17 years old.
Investigators traced the fake Snapchat account to internet addresses associated with both Marquette University and Waterstradt’s residence in Green Bay.
During an interview with Marquette University police in January, Waterstradt initially denied being connected to the account before later admitting he controlled it and used it to receive sexually explicit photos from girls.
The investigation originally began after a 12-year-old student saw sexually explicit photos on a friend’s phone during recess, prompting a report to school officials.
Soon, multiple underage victims were identified by detectives. Many girls reported exchanging sexually explicit photos with Waterstradt. Three girls said after meeting Waterstradt in person, they engaged in sexual intercourse or sexual contact with him ‒ acts he would sometimes record on his phone.
Detectives also learned that Waterstradt allegedly shared some of those recordings with unknown individuals online.
Authorities also allege Waterstradt used social media platforms including X, Reddit and Telegram in connection with child sexual abuse material.
Investigators identified a 13-year-old girl in Langlade County who said she had sex with Waterstradt as well as 15-year-old girls in Sheboygan, Wrightstown, Green Bay and Paris, Illinois, who either reported sexual contact or exchanging sexual explicit photographs. Numerous other underage girls located on the Snapchat account denied sexual interactions occurred.
Waterstradt faces one count of producing child pornography, which carries a penalty of 15 to 30 years in prison, and two counts of child enticement, each punishable by 10 years to life in prison.
Adrienne Davis is a south suburban reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Got any tips or stories to share? Contact Adrienne at amdavis@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @AdriReportss.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Former Marquette athlete indicted on federal exploitation charges
Reporting by Adrienne Davis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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By Adrienne Davis, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
