A federal jury in the Northern District of Georgia convicted Adam Schlueter, an Atlanta resident and former U.S. Army member, on April 17 of sexually and physically abusing two minors during his service abroad.
The case highlights the prosecution of serious crimes committed by Americans overseas and underscores efforts to protect vulnerable children from abuse. The conviction was announced after a four-day trial.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said, “When he should have been honorably defending our country with the utmost integrity, Schlueter instead spent years terrorizing his young victims through physical and sexual abuse. Thankfully, federal law allowed my office and our partners in Washington to seek justice for the children Schlueter battered and molested abroad. Excellent work by the prosecutors and investigators assigned to this case will ensure that Schlueter is suitably punished for his wickedness.”
Marlo Graham, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Atlanta, said, “The defendant exploited a position of trust to carry out horrific abuse against vulnerable children. The FBI is committed to protecting children wherever these crimes occur and to ensuring those who commit such acts are held fully accountable. We are grateful to the victims for their courage in coming forward and to our partners who helped bring this case to justice.”
According to evidence presented at trial, Schlueter was stationed in Grafenwöhr, Germany from 2009 until 2013 where he physically, emotionally, and sexually abused two minor victims under age ten. Testimony included descriptions of choking, beatings, being pushed through a window or dangled above ground as well as threats made by Schlueter against witnesses.
Schlueter was found guilty on two counts each of aggravated sexual abuse of a minor under twelve years old and assault resulting in serious bodily injury; sentencing is scheduled for July 9 with mandatory minimums totaling at least thirty years imprisonment per count.
The FBI investigated the case alongside Assistant U.S. Attorney Leanne Marek for the Northern District of Georgia and Trial Attorney McKenzie Hightower from the Justice Department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS). Former Assistant U.S. Attorney Annalise Peters also assisted with prosecution.
This prosecution forms part of Project Safe Childhood—a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 aimed at combating child exploitation—coordinated through U.S Attorneys’ Offices including CEOS. According to its official website, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District prioritizes cases involving terrorism threats, human trafficking or civil rights violations while enforcing federal criminal laws across north Georgia mountains region serving over seven million residents bordering Alabama as well as Carolinas; it also collaborates internationally when necessary.
Hertzberg served as United States Attorney overseeing public safety coordination between local law enforcement agencies; his office represents both criminal prosecutions along with civil matters before courts throughout district jurisdictions.
