A Minnesota man with a prior conviction for soliciting a child has been charged with attempting to sexually exploit a 12-year-old, according to a recent announcement from Gregory J. Haanstad, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin. Matthew W. Tolkinen, 53, from Wadena, was indicted by a federal grand jury on November 19, on two counts related to his online interactions with what he believed was a young girl, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
Tolkinen allegedly had a graphic conversation with an undercover law enforcement officer from the Outagamie County Sheriff's Office who was posing as a 12-year-old child. U.S. Attorney's Office reveal that he detailed his intentions to engage in sexual activity with the child, prompted for explicit photographs, and chillingly warned about the pain that would ensue. Agents found these conversations on Tolkinen's phone following his arrest.
The accused was taken into custody a day after the indictment, on November 20, and following his initial court appearance on December 5 before Senior District Judge William C. Griesbach, he was ordered to remain detained. His jury trial is slated for February 10, 2025. The allegations stem from the indictment, which includes the attempt to sexually exploit a minor and persuading a minor to engage in sexually explicit conduct, carrying a minimum of 25 years in federal prison if convicted, as detailed by the U.S. Attorney's Office.
As reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office, this case is one of many under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation. The Outagamie County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation, with Assistant United States Attorney Alexander E. Duros prosecuting the case.
Tolkinen, who is a registered sex offender due to a 2018 conviction, has yet again been brought before the justice system to answer for crimes involving a minor. While an indictment is not an indication of guilt and he is entitled to a trial where the government must establish his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, the severity of the charges reflects the continued vigilance needed to protect children from online predators.
