An Iowa couple has been arrested on charges related to the production of films featuring child abuse, authorities say.
Todd Schulz, 43, and Aimee Staudt, 44, stand accused of of one count each of: (1) conspiracy to commit a forcible felony; (2) sexual exploitation of a minor; (3) invasion of privacy; and (4) child endangerment. Schulz was additionally charged with a separate and statutorily different charge of child sexual exploitation.
According to the Ankeny Police Department (APD), the alleged plot was uncovered after receiving an anonymous tip by way of the Iowa Internet Crimes Against Children taskforce and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, according to authorities.
Court documents obtained by local ABC affiliate WOI-DT accuse Schulz of engaging in a prohibited sex act with a minor and disseminating an inappropriate picture of a minor.
Both defendants were arrested on Nov. 2, according to the APD.
According to local CBS affiliate KCCI, the couple conspired to abuse a child between May and June 2020 and on at least one occasion, the abuse was allegedly filmed and intended to be shared with others.
“Ankeny police arrested Todd Schulz and Aimee Staudt on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges,” the APD said in a press release. “Ankeny detectives determined Schulz and Staudt had been in a relationship, and their victims were known to them. At this point, all victims involved in the investigation have been contacted, and there is no further concern to the public.”
According to local NBC affiliate WHO13, the investigation spanned a year and involved at least two different children. It is presently unclear exactly how the criminal charges relate to the two victims in the case. Each defendant has been issued a “no contact” order.
Iowa Couple Filmed Sexual Abuse of Two Children They Knew with Intent to Distribute the Footage: Police
"Ankeny police arrested Todd Schulz and Aimee Staudt on multiple felony and misdemeanor charges," police said in a press release. "Detectives determined Schulz and Staudt had been in a relationship and their victims were known to them."
