| By Big Radio News Staff |
A former Walworth County correctional officer is accused of child sexual exploitation and trafficking a child.
Samuel Pieper, 40, of Whitewater was charged with two counts of each offense Friday in Walworth County Court.
The state Department of Justice Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force announced the charges Monday. A search warrant was served at Pieper’s home last Thursday after state law enforcement received crime tips from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
The DOJ says money was being transferred last summer to suspected minors in exchange for videos or images. Investigators say there are no known local victims at this time.
Pieper was arrested at the Walworth County Sheriff’s Office on Thursday and transported to the Rock County Jail. He resigned his job as a correctional officer on Thursday.
In a statement, Sheriff Dave Gerber says the sheriff’s office is “disgusted with this type of behavior” and does not tolerate it.
