A Dublin, Ohio, man has been arrested in Utah, facing charges of federal child exploitation. Wade S. Christofferson, 72, was arrested on November 20 and presented before a U.S. District Court in Utah, where his case was subsequently unsealed. From the details released, Christofferson stands accused of attempting to sexually exploit a minor and charges of coercion and enticement.
According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Ohio, Dublin Police received a report on November 12 of the alleged sexual abuse of an Ohio minor by Christofferson, which purportedly took place when the victim was around 7 and 8 years old. The complaint includes allegations that Christofferson sexually abused the child repeatedly, in person, estimated around 15 to 20 times.
It doesn't stop there; charges include a claim that Christofferson had a sexually explicit FaceTime call with another minor and sent coded letters referencing sexual activity to her home in Utah. "It was nice to see Snow and her friends when we FaceTimed…" and "I can’t wait to see you and play * games! I have a new one to teach you called ‘school.’ You will like it!" Christofferson allegedly wrote in these "Top Secret" handwritten messages, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Ohio.
A search at Christofferson’s residence by Dublin police unearthed disturbing evidence, including an area accessible only by a child-size door, marked with “H POTTER.” This space contained a mattress, pillows, and blankets on the floor, and was adorned with children's writing on the walls. Christofferson's phone posed its own revelations, with a search history that contained queries such as “criminal defense attorneys sex crimes columbus ohio” and “In Ohio do clergy have to report child abuse confessions,” hinting at the awareness of possible legal pursuit. The defendant is slated for extradition from Utah to Ohio, facing his charges in the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of Ohio.
These proceedings have come about thanks to the cooperative efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI’s Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force, the FBI Salt Lake City Division, the Payson, Utah Police Department, and both the U.S. Attorney’s Offices of Ohio and Utah. Dominick S. Gerace II, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and Acting Special Agent in Charge Adam Lawson offered their commendations for the significant contributions to this case by all involved. The prosecution is spearheaded by Assistant United States Attorney Emily Czerniejewski. While a criminal complaint merely contains allegations, Christofferson, like all defendants, is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
