Minneapolis officer faces criminal sexual conduct charges

A former Minneapolis Police officer facing criminal sexual conduct charges in Anoka County was charged with similar offenses Thursday involving young girls in Hennepin County.

According to the complaint, Bradley Schnickel solicited two girls ages 11 and 14 via Internet social networking sites in 2012. Schnickel, who is 32, allegedly used an alias and portrayed himself as a younger man when he chatted online with the girls. According to the complaint, Schnickel sent the girls pictures of his genitals and asked them to meet him in person.

The Hennepin County Attorney's office charged him with four felony counts of computer solicitation of children.

Earlier this year, Schnickel was charged in Anoka County with three counts of criminal sexual conduct and three counts related to sexual communication with children involving four girls. He has not yet entered a plea. Schnickel is scheduled to appear in Anoka and Hennepin County courtrooms next month.

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