Jerseyville Man Convicted Of Attempted Sex Offenses With A Minor

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Timothy S. Griesemer, 40, of Jerseyville, Illinois was convicted today in the United States District Court of Attempted Sex Trafficking of a Minor and Attempted Enticement of a Minor, Stephen R. Wigginton, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois, announced today. The guilty verdicts were returned this morning in federal court following a three-day jury trial. “I am gratified that a jury perceived this person to be just what he is – someone who had every intention of molesting a child.” said United States Attorney Wigginton.

Evidence presented at trial established that in October 2013, Griesemer sent several text messages to a female acquaintance indicating that he had a desire to obtain a minor child for the purposes of engaging in sexual acts with the child. The acquaintance called the Jerseyville Police Department to report the substance of the text messages. The Jerseyville Police Department enlisted the assistance of agents from the Illinois State Police and the United States Secret Service who initiated an investigation. On October 10, 2013, Griesemer exchanged over 95 text messages with undercover agents during which Griesemer repeatedly stated his desire to pay money to engage in sexual acts with an eight year old female. During the text conversation, Griesemer agreed to meet at an apartment in Jerseyville for what he believed would be a meeting with the young child to engage in sexual acts. Griesemer arrived at the apartment, confirmed his intentions, and was arrested by law enforcement. During a search of Griesemer’s person, agents located a condom, two bottles of personal lubricant, a sexual device, and $311 in cash.

Griesemer is facing a minimum term in prison of fifteen (15) years up to life and a fine up to $250,000 for the Attempted Sex Trafficking of a Minor and a term in prison of not less than ten (10) years up to life and a fine up to $250,000 for the Attempted Enticement of a Minor. Griesemer will also be subject to a term of supervised release of not less than five (5) years up to life after his term of imprisonment. Griesemer will remain in custody pending sentencing, which is scheduled on December 12, 2014 before United States District Judge Michael J. Reagan.

“I cannot thank the brave citizen who reported this gruesome request and the men and women of law enforcement enough for their concern and swift investigation which led to the capture of someone intent on molesting a child. The concerted action of these people most certainly saved an innocent child from what would have been nothing less than a sentence in hell.” United States Attorney Wigginton noted.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Led by the United States Attorneys’ Offices and the Criminal Division's Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, and to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc. For more information about internet safety education, please visit www.usdoj.gov/psc and click on the tab “resources.”

The investigation was conducted by the Illinois State Police, the United States Secret Service, and the Jerseyville Police Department. The case was tried by Assistant United States Attorney Ali Summers.