M., officers from the Sherburne County Sheriff's Office were dispatched to a residence in the city of Zimmerman, Sherburne County, State of Minnesota, upon a report of a missing juvenile female under the age of 10 years old, Victim A herein (fully identified in the reports). Information provided by family members was that Victim A had gone to school that day and was usually dropped off by the bus at 3:40 P.M. But had not returned home. Mother of Victim A, Mother herein, learned that the only two people who also have custody of Victim A, Victim A’s father and grandmother, also did not have Victim A with them.
No one else had permission to have Victim A. Officers spoke with neighbors who reported that their child confirmed Victim A had been dropped off by the bus. Officers were provided camera footage from a neighbor which depicted Victim A walking towards her residence at 3:53 P.M. Then turning and walking back towards her bus stop out of view. No vehicles or other persons were visible in the footage. A canvass of the neighborhood was conducted by officers and Victim A was not located. Mother informed law enforcement that she had an unusual online interaction in December involving an individual with a Facebook profile username of “Joseph Bragg.” Mother stated that individual “added” her on Facebook in early December.
She initially “added” him back as she thought she recognized him as a relative of an associate. Mother determined after communication with the individual that they did not know each other and the individual stated he had just seen her profile and wanted to communicate with her. The individual asked Mother questions about herself, including whether she had children. The individual indicated he wanted children of his own, was not discouraged to learn a woman already had children, and indicated a desire to engage in activities with children.
The individual explained he works in child care and asked if Mother knew anyone in the Zimmerman/Princeton area looking for services. Mother reported she ultimately blocked the individual. Both of Victim A’s parents told law enforcement they are not otherwise familiar with a “Joseph Bragg.” Additional investigation identified “Joseph Bragg” as Joseph Andrew Bragg, [DOB redacted], defendant herein. The defendant was developed as a suspect in Victim A’s disappearance. Through investigation and use of technology, law enforcement believed the defendant had access to a rental vehicle, a white 2025 Dodge Ram bearing Tennessee license plate number BSB3715. Law enforcement requested exigent location data of the defendant cell phone, which produced updates of the location of the defendant’s cell device.
Location information indicated the defendant was traveling south and moving toward Iowa. Law enforcement agencies were provided the defendant’s information, Victim A’s information, and possible suspect vehicle information. One agency notified of this information was the Albert Lea Police Department. The City of Albert Lea is located approximately 138 miles south of the City of Zimmerman and approximately 12 miles away from the Iowa border. Once information was shared with law enforcement agencies in the area where the defendant was believed to be located, an Amber Alert was issued.
