Near Two Harbors, 34 structures burned and Highway 61 closed; in Crow Wing County, a 1,600-acre fire sparked evacuations

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

An International Falls man is facing federal charges for allegedly kidnapping a 7-year-old girl near her home in Zimmerman, Minn., earlier this year and sexually assaulting her. Police in southern Minnesota found the girl in a vehicle with Joseph Andrew Bragg, 29, about nine hours later.

 Bragg in January with child kidnapping and criminal sexual conduct. 

A federal grand jury on Wednesday returned a five-count indictment that charges Bragg with production and possession of child sexual abuse material, kidnapping of a minor and attempted transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. 

The state-level child rape charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 12 years. If Bragg is convicted of the 

 count, he faces at least 20 years in prison. 

According to the initial state complaint, family members reported the girl missing after she didn’t return home from school on Jan. 21. Neighbors told police that the child had been dropped off by her school bus driver, but security camera video from the area showed her turning around and walking back toward the bus stop just before 4 p.m. The video did not show any other people or vehicles.  

The girl’s mother told police that Bragg contacted her on Facebook in December and claimed that he worked in childcare and had “indicated a desire to engage in activities with children,” according to Sherburne County prosecutors. 

Investigators began tracking Bragg’s mobile phone and also learned that he had rented a Dodge pickup truck and was driving south on Interstate 35 toward Iowa. Authorities also issued an Amber Alert.  

Around 12:35 a.m. the next day, an Albert Lea police officer spotted the pickup truck, followed it out of a gas station and pulled it over. He found the missing girl in the back seat partially obscured by an empty suitcase. 

The state complaint alleges that Bragg used a rideshare service to take the child from a home in the Corcoran area to a hotel in Plymouth. In a forensic interview, the girl allegedly described in detail how Bragg sexually molested her.  

In a news release Thursday, the Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s Office said that a phone found with Bragg when he was arrested contained several videos and photos depicting child sexual abuse material “of multiple minor victims,” including the girl. 

Investigators say that Bragg may have victimized other children, and that anyone with information should contact 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov. 

Bragg, who’s been jailed since his arrest on state charges, made his initial appearance in federal court on Thursday. He did not enter a plea. Magistrate Judge Elsa Bullard ordered that Bragg remain detained.

Crime, Law and Justice

NewsPartners

Homepage

Matt Sepic

Author

Joseph Andrew Bragg is charged federally with kidnapping and creating child sexual abuse images of a 7-year-old girl 

Minnesota man faces federal charges in kidnapping, assault of 7-year-old

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox