MINNEAPOLIS - A person of interest has been named in the 1989 disappearance of Jacob Wetterling of St. Joseph, Minn.
Authorities say Daniel James Heinrich, 52, of Annandale, was identified after being the subject of a child pornography investigation.
The U.S. Attorney’s office said Thursday a search warrant had been executed seeking evidence in a 1989 kidnapping near Cold Spring and Wetterling’s disappearance near St. Joseph.
Heinrich has not been charged in either of those cases but does face charges from a long-term child exploitation investigation.
Heinrich has denied involvement in the disappearance of Wetterling, who was 11 years old at the time.
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When asked if Heinrich was a suspect in the Wetterling case Stearns County Sheriff John Sanner said “we refer to him as a person of interest.”
Authorities said most of the child pornography involved young boys. Also found were video tapes Heinrich apparently shot of young boys in public.
Heinrich made an initial court appearance on the pornograpy charges Thursday in U.S. District Court in St. Paul.
A statement released from Patty and Jerry Wetterling, Jacob’s parents, said in part:
“The Wetterling family would like to thank all involved in the investigation of Danny Heinrich and his crimes against children. The search for Jacob is an ongoing investigation and we will watch and learn with everyone else. Right now we know what is being reported. We know what you all know.”
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Timeline of Jacob Wetterling Investigation
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