BISMARCK – United States Attorney Nicholas W. Chase announced that a Federal Jury found Derrick Stephen Walker, age 46 of Minot, ND, guilty for six Counts of Sexual Exploitation of a Minor and one Count of Receipt of Images Depicting the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor.
A federal jury found Derrick Walker guilty of six Counts of the Sexual Exploitation of a Minor involving six separate minor victims identified as “John Doe One, Age One”; “John Doe Two, Age Three”; “John Doe Three, Age Six”; “John Doe Four, Age One”; and “Jane Doe One” and “Jane Doe Two, both Age One”. Walker was specifically found guilty of aiding and abetting his co-defendant, Katie Heidinger of Velva, ND, in the production of images and videos depicting the sexual exploitation of the minors. In addition, Walker was found guilty of receiving images depicting the sexual exploitation of minors. Investigation revealed that Katie Heidinger was involved in a romantic relationship with Derrick Walker and that Heidinger produced and distributed the videos and images, using the internet, at Walker’s request.
Katie Heidinger entered a change of plea to guilty to Counts One through Six on June 16, 2020 and is currently scheduled for sentencing on March 16, 2022. The Sentencing date for Walker has not been set.
“The actions of these defendants are revolting. The harm they’ve caused their victims is devastating and can last a lifetime,” said acting Special Agent in Charge Jamie Holt of HSI St. Paul. “HSI is proud of the work we’ve accomplished with our state and local law enforcement partners, and we remain committed to our joint efforts in bringing these criminals to justice.”
This case was investigated by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office, Ward County Sheriff’s Office, North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, North Dakota Human Trafficking Task Force, and Homeland Security Investigations, and the case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s office, with Assistant United States Attorney Gary Delorme assigned to the case.
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