Dodge Center man given 5 years in prison for possessing child sexual abuse material

Mark Wasson, Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minn.
·2 min read
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Oct. 25—MANTORVILLE, Minn. — A 31-year-old Dodge Center man caught up in federal, local and private investigations this year has been sentenced to 60 months in prison for possessing child sexual abuse material.

Joseph Lee Carlson appeared before Judge Debra Groehler on Wednesday Oct. 25, in Dodge County District Court where Groehler ordered Carlson to register as a predatory offender and credited him with 372 days for time served. Following Carlson's release from prison, he will be on supervised probation for five years.

Carlson entered into a plea deal with prosecutors earlier this year where he agreed to plead guilty to four counts of possessing pornographic work in exchange for the dismissal of 19 other similar felony charges in three separate cases in Dodge County. The plea deal called for a sentence between 50 and 60 months.

Carlson was the target of an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security prior to his most recent charges.

He was also the target of an investigation by

local vigilante Chase Johnston this summer

where Johnston claimed that Carlson met him at a Dodge Center park under the guise that Johnston was a child who would have sex with Carlson. Following a meeting between the two at a park, the Dodge County Sheriff's Office investigated Johnston's claims and ultimately recommended charges against Carlson.

"Text messages submitted to Investigators show the group discussing a number of times that they are a 14-year-old male. Carlson solicits the child for sex explaining that having sex with a 14-year-old is a big fantasy of his that he never gets to complete," Dodge County Sheriff Scott Rose wrote in a news release about the incident.

"Carlson stated that he would meet at North Park, positively identify the party and if he was truly a juvenile, then he would turn him away as he did not want to get into any trouble," reads part of the complaint against Carlson.

In the criminal complaint, it is noted that Carlson has a previous conviction as a juvenile for felony second-degree criminal sexual conduct while being armed with a dangerous weapon.

Investigators allege that they found in Carlson's possession hundreds of images of at least 47 different juveniles in various states of undress and performing sexual acts. The images depict at least one juvenile who was an infant, according to the complaint.

Those experiencing sexual exploitation can call a 24-hour crisis line at 507-289-0636 to speak to someone who can direct you towards help.