A Long Beach man was arrested and charged with multiple felonies related to child pornography and interference with privacy of a minor, it was stated in a news release from the Pope County Sheriff’s office.  

The Pope County Sheriff’s Office received multiple tips from the National Center of Missing and Exploited Children of an individual downloading and uploading numerous child pornographic images and videos. After a months-long investigation, the Sheriff’s Office was able to determine the individual responsible lived in the City of Long Beach in Pope County. On March 22, the Pope County Sheriff’s Office executed search warrants and took Patrick Baker, age 51, of Long Beach into custody without incident. 

Baker appeared in Pope County Court on March 25, 2024 to face seven felony charges of possession child pornography (M.S. 617.247.4(b)); two felony charges of use of minors in sexual performance/pornographic work (M.S. 617.246.2(a)), two felony charges of interference of privacy of a minor (M.S. 609.746.1(g)(2)) and one gross misdemeanor charge of interference of privacy of a person over 18 (609.746.1(d)). Baker is being held on $100,000.00 conditional release non-cash bond or $500,000.00 unconditional release bail or bond. 

Pope County Law Enforcement takes all tips of individuals wishing to exploit youth seriously. The Sheriff’s Offices uses all available resources to combat child pornography and to hold accountable those responsible. Law enforcement encourages anyone with information on the exploitation of youth to report it to their local law enforcement agency, it was stated. 

The Pope County Sheriff’s Office was assisted in this investigation by the Minnesota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, Glenwood Police Department, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.