U. S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger | U.S. Department of Justice
A Hastings man faces charges for producing and possessing child sexual abuse material, as announced by United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger. Hunter James Geidl, 27, is accused of possessing a video file involving a minor in sexually explicit conduct on May 19, 2022. Between July 29, 2022, and March 22, 2024, Geidl allegedly used minors to create sexually explicit videos.
Authorities suspect there may be additional victims connected to this case. The FBI urges anyone whose minor dependents have interacted with Geidl to contact them at 1-800-CALL-FBI or tips.fbi.gov.
Geidl's indictment includes three counts of production and attempted production of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. He appeared in U.S. District Court on December 13, 2024, where Magistrate Judge David T. Schultz ordered him to remain in custody pending further proceedings.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI with support from the Hastings Police Department under Project Safe Childhood. This initiative by the Department of Justice aims to address child sexual exploitation through federal and local collaboration since its inception in May 2006.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jordan L. Sing is handling the prosecution.
"An indictment is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law."
