BISMARCK, N.D. (KXNET) — Two North Dakotans have now been sentenced to federal prison for the sexual exploitation of children.
Wednesday, a judge sentenced 33-year-old Katie Heidinger, of Velva, and 46-year-old Derrick Walker, of Minot, for 6 counts of sexual exploitation of a minor.
In addition, Walker was also charged with one count of receipt of images depicting the sexual exploitation of a minor.
Walker was found guilty and sentenced to 45 years, followed by a lifetime of supervised release.
Heidinger pled guilty to the charges and was sentenced to 30 years, followed by a lifetime of supervised release.
During the trial for Walker, Heidinger testified that she was having an affair with Walker during which he told her he was sexually interested in young boys.
At Walker’s request, Heidinger then produced videos involving three boys, ages one to five, and sent them to Walker.
All of this came to light because Heidinger’s then-husband discovered some of the videos on Heidinger’s cellphone and contacted the McHenry County Sheriff’s Department
This case was prosecuted as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative designed to protect children from online exploitation and abuse.