MINNEAPOLIS — A Minnesota man charged with child pornography after a search of his home found pictures of naked boys is also a “person of interest” in the disappearance of Jacob Wetterling, whose 1989 abduction led his parents to launch a national center to prevent child exploitation.
Daniel James Heinrich, 52, was charged Thursday with five counts of possessing or receiving child pornography. Richard Thornton, the special agent in charge of the FBI’s office in Minneapolis, said Heinrich is a person of interest in Wetterling’s disappearance but noted that he has not been charged in that case.
Thornton told a news conference that Heinrich originally was considered in connection with Wetterling’s abduction and was investigated again when the team of investigators launched a full review aimed at bringing fresh eyes to the case. Wetterling was 11 when he was abducted Oct. 22, 1989, near his home in the central Minnesota community of St. Joseph.
“The defendant has denied any involvement in the disappearance of Jacob Wetterling,” U.S. Attorney Andy Luger said.
It wasn’t immediately clear if Heinrich had an attorney who could comment on his behalf. The federal defender’s office in Minneapolis did not have a record for him in its system. Heinrich had no home listing, and a cellphone listing for him was disconnected.
The disappearance of Wetterling prompted his mother, Patty, to become a nationally recognized advocate for the cause of missing children. She and her husband, Jerry, founded the Jacob Wetterling Resource Center, which works to help communities and families prevent child exploitation.
