On or about February 6, 2025, the Fergus Falls Police Department received an Internet Crimes Against Children tip that involved an IP address that was believed to be located in Fergus Falls, Otter Tail County, Minnesota. The file associated with the tip, originating from November 16, 2024, involved a juvenile female consistent with an 11-year-old female fully clothed and modeling for the person taking the video, before the juvenile female removes her clothing and performs oral sex on the adult male in the video.
The file name included (11Yo). Records associated with the IP address provided subscriber information of LESLEY GLENN NIELSEN, [DOB REDACTED], the defendant. A search warrant was obtained for electronic devices associated with the defendant, and the warrant was executed at the defendant’s residence in Fergus Falls, on or about May 22, 2025. The contents of these devices were further examined pursuant to a search warrant. Information extractions from the defendant’s devices resulted in flags for multiple items of pornographic works involving minors (now known as child sexual abuse material (CSAM)), as well as multiple items of artificial intelligence (AI) CSAM. A detective sent images and videos that were flagged as CSAM to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) for review and possible identification of victims.
The detective received a NCMEC report on March 4, 2026, which identified over 60 files on the defendant’s devices that contained images of real children from various locations. The detective noted a consistent pattern of material compiled by the defendant that was AI CSAM. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: Pursuant to Minn. Stat. 609.49, intentional failure to appear for duly scheduled court appearances may result in additional criminal charges, and in addition to any arrest warrant that may otherwise be issued by the Court.
