On July 31st, 2025 in Portage County, Wisconsin, officers responded to a computer repair shop after the owner discovered disturbing images on a customer's laptop while attempting to back up his files. >> Um, I don't know how much was explained to you. Um, >> vague about it. >> So, >> I mean I kind of get the gist of what >> Yeah. Client drops off laptop today around noon. Uh, I could get specific time if it matters. Um, Wi-Fi issue. I try to fix issue. I find that there's deeper problems. I spoke to the customer on the phone and I explained the problems. We have to reinstall Windows to fix. The The client said >> or >> It's a laptop. >> Okay. >> The client tells me, "That's fine." And I say, "Do you have any data that you have to back up?" And he says, "As long as you can back up the pictures, that's all I care about." Of course, I open the pictures folder to verify is that where the pictures are stored. Immediately see pictures of children. Lots of them. >> Like how how old >> Uh, well, if you want to look at it, >> I will show you. >> really want to. >> I know. I don't either. So, I don't know what the I don't know what the >> [laughter] >> I don't know what to do here, my guy. Also, uh, some gloves if you'd like one. >> [laughter and snorts] >> Not really able to just look through it all, I guess. >> So, open up >> this is that dropped it off? >> Yes. >> [snorts] >> So, and before I guess we click on it, cuz again, like I'm not uh, too interested in seeing anything either. Uh, properties. So, this is how many individual files are in that pictures folder. So, I'll tell you, that number's growing. That's a lot. >> Yeah. >> And so, >> So, it's like over 5,000. Oh, yeah. >> I mean, I don't really want to scroll much further than that. >> Yeah. >> You know? Uh, it's it's pretty clear to me. I'm not an idiot. You know? >> Um Do you know if there's anyone like with no clothes on at all or is it mostly just like >> I And so I don't. And I know that being weird is not illegal. But >> Yeah. >> I I didn't scroll through. So I am >> So but there was like what over 5,000? >> Uh yes. >> or so? >> on the yellow folder icon at the bottom there. Uh >> This one? >> On the taskbar there you go. And click on that side there. So 7,355 total. >> Jeez. >> Now and I don't know if that's all of these types of pictures, but that is 7,355 files in this folder, you know? So >> Okay. >> I'm not really sure, you know, 14 years, first time for this. So >> All right. Um Do you have the person's information on who this is? >> I have a name and a number. >> Okay. I'll take that. I'll make a phone call to one of the detectives and see what they say about it. >> Okay. And then if any So so right now he does not know that I know anything. I just told him like I'll get it taken care of. I'll give you a call tomorrow when it's all done. He expects that it'll be done tomorrow. >> Okay. >> Um I guess I don't mind if you know you guys are here when he comes to pick it up if that's better if you guys go talk to him now. However you want to do it, but like you know. >> Yeah. I'll we'll figure something out. What's his What's the What's the first name? >> Gary. >> G A R Y? Uh that's presumably. I didn't ask spelling. >> Johnson. So his neighbor uh actually dropped him off cuz I don't know if he has a car or something. Um and so when they called to ask for the update on the laptop, she was the one that had called me from her number. Uh so like and I have the number >> his personal number or >> That's uh to my knowledge that's Gary's number. >> Uh I let me double check. >> What was her number? >> I can get you that. >> And you don't have an address or anything, do you? >> I don't, unfortunately. Um in our talking, she is a neighbor across the parking lot. So, some kind of apartment complex, maybe. >> All right. I'm going to go make a phone call, be back in like 5 minutes or so. >> All right. >> All right, so I guess What was the original issue he brought here for again? >> The Wi-Fi didn't work. >> Wi-Fi didn't work. >> So, so full simplified story. Wi-Fi didn't work. His neighbor tried to help him fix it. She couldn't figure it out. So, she brought it to me. Well, she and him. He was here in store. He handed me the laptop. Um so, the Wi-Fi wasn't working. We tried to fix. Um It will be far too complex to explain how I tried to fix it, but >> I'm not a computer guy, so it means >> Not easily fixable, so reinstall necessary. That's the easy term. Reinstall necessary. Called customer [music] to explain. Customer indicated he just needs his photos backed up. >> Okay. >> And again, I have recorded calls. I can give you those calls. >> anything, but Just needs photos. And then you went you opened it because you had to obviously >> Literally on the phone with the guy. He said, "I just need my photos backed up." At like the 1 minute 30 mark, I literally opened cuz I had the file explorer open from when I was trying to fix it. I clicked the pictures folder. Heart sinks, you know, like yuck, you know. Immediately I'm like, "All right, sounds good. I'll get it taken care of and I'll give you a call as soon as it's all done." Hang up the phone. Google your number. Call you guys. I closed out of the folder first, but So, yeah, that is essentially me know at. >> Um so I talked to one of our detectives. So, obviously we want to talk to him. We're going to obviously take this cuz this is evidence. >> Yes. >> Um, and then what time are you open tomorrow? >> Uh, 10:00 a.m. >> Um, so what we will we will probably have you like set something up to have him come pick up the computer and obviously we'd like to talk to him if that would work something like that. >> Yeah, so that's then like I said, whatever works better for you guys. >> Happy to get it done. >> Printers are not really worth fixing them for you. >> Thanks. >> That's all right. >> Does it have a >> He has. >> have a password? >> He has a password. >> He has a password. >> Gary gave it to him. >> Okay. >> This is Gary. >> What's that lady? >> Yeah, this is neighbor who drove him here. >> Okay. Um, I >> there. >> Got off the phone with uh, Tatro. He said that since we have the password No, it's fine. Since we have the passcode, we can shut >> Okay. >> Since we have the passcode Hello. >> Busy place. >> Yes. >> It's good. >> I didn't even know this was here. >> Well, tell your friends and family. Happy to fix stuff. Happy to fix stuff. >> So, we're going to be taking this. >> Okay. >> Um, I talked with the tech guy at the lab in Wausau. He said that since we have the password for it, we can shut it down. >> Yeah, you know, a situation like this, absolutely disgusting. I'll do anything I can to correct this, you know. So, like yeah, if you need a charger, I'm sure I can get you a charger, you know. So. >> Did he Was there any like questions she had? Was there any like documentation that like he signed to say "Fix my computer" or something? I don't know. >> Uh, I mean they're given a receipt with like the terms at the bottom. >> Okay. >> But no, I don't get a signature. >> Okay. >> Are we able to get a copy of that receipt for PB&J? >> Sure. And uh and so again, it's like it's one of those things where I don't go through people's stuff. I don't care. I don't have time to go through these people's stuff. >> Okay. >> But when I open the pictures folder and he has extra large view mode on and it's the first He's not even in a folder. It's it's in the pictures, you know, like you tell me, "Hey, back up my pictures for me." I have to open the pictures folder, you know, like that is just I'm not going to go through your folders and check anything. Like I'm not dumb. I see the top thing, okay. I I got I'm not dumb, you know, like >> And what did I guess in obviously Sergeant Painter here is what uh some of the images. What was the first thing that you saw? >> Oh, the >> I know it's probably >> girl in like a bikini looking up seductively at the camera with like a bunch of makeup on. >> Okay. How old do you think that girl was? >> I'm terrible with ages, but like 6 to 8 would be my thought. I I got I don't I'm terrible with ages. I literally couldn't tell you, but young enough that I'm immediately hairs on the back of my neck up, you know, like >> Okay. >> not a >> Did you see any other images in there? >> Regretfully, he was scrolling through to double-check and when I went to close the folder, yeah, I was aware that at least one of them was topless. So, I know I'm aware at least one of them was topless, but not really trying to go and look through that stuff. >> Okay. No, I'm not asking you to or anything. I just want to make sure that I understand what you were seeing. Um >> And to give you like a better idea cuz I as I told him, so like uh he called uh and I spoke with him on the phone and that was when I told him, "I can't fix your Wi-Fi problem. It's going to have to be a full reinstall. Do you have data that you need me to back up?" And he says, "Yes, make sure you back up the pictures." >> Okay. >> So, then I open the pictures folder literally on the phone with him within like the second of him saying that. Stomach drops. Okay, I will give you a call and let you know as soon as it's done, you know. And like I have the call recorded. Um I have the uh if you if you saw in there I had him dropping it off and everything recorded. Um so I can get you that information if you would like it. Um yeah, again it's like I don't make it a thing to go through people's data. I don't care, you know, I don't care if you're weird, but that's past weird, you know, that's >> Um [laughter] so it's my understanding that he's like you're planning on calling him tomorrow saying, "Hey, it's done. Come pick up your computer." >> Mhm. >> Okay. What time do you guys open tomorrow? >> 10:00 a.m. >> Okay. I'm going to have to go back talk with my supervisors trying to figure out I guess our next step, but um probably what will have a happen is probably have you make a phone call. Um say, "Hey, your stuff's ready to come pick up." and then we will meet him here and have a chat. >> Sure. >> So, if you're okay with that. You're working tomorrow? >> Yeah. It's just me. >> Oh. >> Yeah, it's just me at the shop. >> Yeah. >> All right. >> Yeah. >> So, oh and >> Oops, sorry. >> Oh yeah. Have them shoot me a text or an email and then I will get that over to you. >> you in the morning tomorrow at 2:00 and figure something out. >> Sounds good. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> The following morning, officers returned to the computer repair shop and waited nearby for Gary to arrive and pick up his laptop. >> Hey Gary. I'm going to cut your facial with the St. Cloud Police Department. This is Lieutenant Milan. I'm going to have you step over by this van right now, okay? Because we there's some issues with your computer, okay? >> I had a conversation with your girlfriend. >> Yes. >> They do that? We're getting public each picture Well, the most beautiful girl in the world. I mean my man I didn't know that. I didn't try to get it I was going to turn it put on Getty publishing for me. >> All the pictures that were observed are child pornography. >> Oh. I think I would have already erased those from my laptop. >> Well, we're going to go have a conversation, okay? >> Okay. >> Who's your friend that brought you here? >> Uh Jackie. >> Okay. I'm going to go tell Jackie that she can go, okay? >> Hm. So, why are you not going to get arrested? >> Yes. >> Why? >> Because you're in possession of Yeah, child pornography. >> Okay. Like I just said, I can eliminate that off of my computer. >> Well, we can talk about We can talk about that in the car. >> Mhm. >> Okay. Just take your hands out of your pockets for me, okay? >> Yes. >> So, Lieutenant Miller is going to walk you back to the spot. I'm going to go tell your friend Jackie >> said it, okay? >> Hop in, have a seat, and we'll have a discussion, okay? >> Yeah. >> All right, Gary. So, this conversation is going to be recorded, okay? >> That's fine. >> Okay. Um your last name is Johnson, correct? >> Right. Nice and warm in here. >> I will >> We'll put the air back on. Radio off. >> Um so, you're not free to go, okay? Um with that, I do have to read you your rights um before I ask you any questions. All right? Um so, I'm just going to go through this verbatim. >> to go after all of this? >> No. >> I'm not? >> No. Um >> You can't but you can't come home with my laptop and me and watch me eliminate all the pictures on there? >> No. So, let me get you get through this form with you, okay? And then we can have further conversation if you want, all right? So, before we ask you any questions, you must understand your rights. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court. You have the right to talk to a lawyer for advice before we ask you any questions and to have him with you during questioning if you so desire. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you before any questioning if you so desire. If you decide to answer questions now without a lawyer present, you will still have the right to stop answering questions at any time until you talk to a lawyer for advice and to have him with you during questioning if you so desire. Waiver of rights. I have read or have had read to me the statement of my rights and I understand what my rights are. I am willing to make a statement and answer questions. I understand and know what I am doing. No promises or threats have been made to me and no pressure or violence of any kind has been used against me. Are you willing to answer [clears throat] questions at this time? >> Sure. >> Okay. So, if you want, I'll date this. All right, so I'm just going to have you sign right here where that X is. >> Yeah. Good luck on that. I'm kind of shaky. >> All right. All right, Gary. So, we obviously got involved because we got notified that there were some concerning images >> Mhm. >> on your computer. >> Right. >> Okay. And when we approached you, you said you had pictures >> Yeah. >> of >> of girls. >> Okay. And you From what I understood, you said they were the most beautiful girls in the Chinese >> to be and supposed to be trying to get uh get them send them to Getty Publishing just and see if they'll accept them or not. >> Okay. >> Supposed to be the most beautiful girls in the world. And so, I've got a couple of porno pictures on there, too, but >> Okay. Are you were taking these pictures of these girls? >> No, I'm not taking any pictures. I'm just I'm getting them off the internet. >> Okay. >> I'm just taking or just getting uh doing just wipe like I get on certain programs that have pictures of girls. >> Okay. >> And uh I just take a picture of the girls, you know, through my internet just >> Okay. >> just add to my pictures. >> So, you save it to your laptop. >> Yeah, I save it to my laptop. I I don't take pictures of little girls. That would be ridiculous. >> Okay. Um and what I mean, where do you go to get these pictures? You said the internet, but >> Just on the internet. >> What do you search for? >> Little girls or beautiful girls, anything like that. >> Okay. Um >> And a lot of these pictures are from Getty Publishing anyhow. >> Okay. Um So, let's talk about the the nude images of the little girls. >> those off the internet, too. >> Okay. >> I don't have nude images of little girls, no. >> Well, there was some images that we're seeing >> Oh, yeah. >> of a a little girl in between maybe the ages of 6 to 12 >> Right. >> um wearing some sort of bottoms, whether that be underwear or swim bottoms, but no top. >> Right. >> Okay. So, that is considered child >> Okay. Okay. Like I said, I can always eliminate all that from my laptop. Given the opportunity, I'll wipe it out right now. >> So, I guess like why why are you interested in sending these to Getty publishing if they're already on Getty? >> Well, because they're images that aren't on Getty yet that are still pictures of beautiful girls. >> Okay. >> So. >> And why does this interest you? >> I've always been interested in taking pictures. >> Okay, but you're not taking pictures. >> I used to take nature pictures all the time. >> Okay. >> But my camera got stolen, so I just started looking at the internet and noticed that they had beautiful girls on Getty publishing. And so I started looking at beautiful but little girls, you know, beautiful girls, you know, from anywhere from 2 to 16 years old, the most beautiful girls in the world. >> Okay. >> And so all I do is look. >> And why are you doing that? >> Just a hobby. >> Okay. And when then you save the pictures and then what >> I just save them on the internet. I don't even do anything. >> with them? >> Well, I told you I planned on trying to send a few to Getty publishing that Getty didn't have on their on their pictures. >> Okay. >> And like I said, a lot of those pictures I have are from Getty publishing anyhow. I was trying to do a compilation of the most beautiful girls in the world. And uh send them to Getty and see if they like the pictures I like, you know, like pictures I'm sending them. >> Okay. Do you I know this is probably really uncomfortable to talk about. You've never met me. I don't think you've ever met the chat meal or um but a lot of times in these cases there is a sexual component >> Mhm. >> to these. I mean, are you attracted to >> No. >> these young girls? >> No, I'm >> Okay. Have you ever used any of these images to gain sexual gratification, like masturbate to? >> No. >> Okay. It's concerning to me why little girl. You said you were a nature photographer and now you just >> Yeah, somebody stole somebody stole my camera out of my car and so I just happened to notice that they had beautiful girls online one day. I was just going through different things [snorts] and you know, and so I started as a hobby uh collecting the pictures of the little girls. Like I said, the same as Getty publishing. If I could get the ones that hadn't been on Getty, but were from a different format, you know. >> How long have you had the computer? >> Oh, probably four or five years now. >> And that's yours? >> Yes, mine. >> Where did you get it? >> I got it from Best Buy. >> Okay, so you physically went there and bought it yourself from Best Buy? >> Right. >> Okay. >> What Why did you bring it to Cody Electronics Repair? >> Cuz my my Wi-Fi went sour on it. Cuz I did [clears throat] an update from uh I did an update from Microsoft and the update wiped out my Wi-Fi, so I brought it to him to get my Wi-Fi repaired. >> Okay. >> How long I guess when did you start looking Okay, let's So, I'll start back up. >> [laughter] >> When did your camera get stolen? >> Uh Before I moved here from Virginia. >> Okay. >> I went to a uh went to a pool hall and I left my window open in my car and somebody stole my camera out of that. >> So, it was stolen when you lived in Virginia? >> Yeah, when I when I lived in Virginia. >> When did you move out of Virginia? If you can remember. >> Well, I well, I see 2000. >> Okay. And then did you move straight here or was there other places in between? >> No, I went to Watoma first. >> Okay. >> And then I moved here from Watoma. I got a job working at Piggly's. >> So, how long do you think you've lived in Stevens Point for? >> I'm sorry? >> How long do you think you've lived in Stevens Point for? >> Uh since 2005. >> Okay. How long have you been searching for little girls on the internet? >> A couple years. >> Okay. Does anybody live with you? >> No. >> Okay, you live alone? >> Mhm. >> Okay. I guess I'm I'm finding it very hard to believe that you were just searching for little girls >> No. >> on the on the internet. >> Most of the time I'm playing my game on the internet. Play uh Casino World. >> Okay. >> So, once in a while I'll go see if there any new pictures of girls and then I'll just go back and play my casino games some more. >> Okay. >> How often do you >> search >> search for little girls? >> Maybe once a week. And like I said, I spend most of my time playing my Casino World. >> [snorts] >> 14 to 39. >> 99% of it actually. >> Right. Do you know >> my TV set. >> Do you know about how many pictures you have saved? >> Over 5,000. >> Do you have an idea of how many of those are pictures with nudity? >> Mhm. Not off hand, no. >> But you do know that some of them are nude pictures. >> Yes, I do know that. >> Why would you save those? >> Cuz I was dumb and stupid and got drunk. >> I mean, you've been open and honest with us. >> No. >> So far. I mean, have there ever been Has there any Has there ever been a time where you've looked at these pictures and been attracted to these little girls or >> No. >> used these pictures for masturbation? >> No, I already answered [snorts] that. The only thing I ever do is just maybe once a week I'll go through and see if there's any new little girls out there that are beautiful girls in the world. >> Okay. Um earlier you said that you might have some stuff saved on your laptop. Was that in referring to the little girls or >> to the older women, adult to adult people, right? >> Okay. >> Doing kinky things. >> Okay. >> Got to entertain myself once in a while just looking at >> And I mean, there's nothing wrong with adult >> Mhm. >> Um what would you search for in adult >> I would just basically the adults having sex. >> Okay. When you would search um pictures of the little girls, um would that mainly be on your laptop or would you do that on another device? >> Yeah, I don't only The only device I have is my laptop. >> Okay. And you said you were connected to your Wi-Fi at your apartment. >> Yes. >> Do you know who your Wi-Fi provider is? >> Spectrum. >> Do you have it named a certain name? >> Yeah. >> Like your Wi-Fi. Some people can name their Wi-Fi. >> No. >> Okay. >> I named my laptop Nappy Lappy. >> Okay. >> Because it when I put it to sleep at night, that's when I go to bed. I go to sleep. And then I get up and I start playing My Casino World. >> Okay. So, I have your laptop. Okay. You're not going to get your laptop back right now. >> Okay. >> Um would you give the department consent to search your laptop? >> Yeah. >> Okay. Anybody else have access to your computer at all? >> No. >> Okay. You're just You're the only user? >> I'm the only user. >> Okay. Anyone else know the password other than us and Cody, electronics guy? >> What? >> Does anybody else know the password other than >> No, other than Cody. >> Okay. So, Gary, you are going to go to jail today. Okay? >> Am I going to be able to get out? >> Today, I don't know that. >> Cuz I need to be able to take my medicine. >> Okay. And we can >> We can probably get that, yeah. >> Yeah. Um >> Figure that out or I can go to the hospital. Didn't do very good when I wake up in the morning and I got blood in my urine. >> We are done here. However, we need to get some medications [clears throat] from his house. So, uh we can assist with the squad transfer and then we can also head up there and assist going in and getting those meds. So, All right, thanks. So, the squad car's going to come over here. We're going to transfer you into a marked squad, okay? >> Mhm. >> Um they are going to put you in handcuffs. We're going to search you, make sure you got nothing in your pockets. Um put everything >> gave them my little bitty pocket knife. >> Okay. Um Okay. Um And then we'll follow you. They're going to bring you to your back to your apartment, okay? >> Mhm. >> Um >> I got to go. I need to use the restroom pretty soon anyhow. >> Okay. Um get your meds and then we'll transport you to the jail, okay? >> Is there anything else you need out of your apartment carried out other than the medications? >> Just my medications. >> Okay. Do you have Is it locked up? >> Yeah, it's locked up. Not the medicine, I mean I just >> Right. I >> No, my apartment's locked up. >> locked now. >> Do you have any questions for us? >> Yeah. >> What is that? >> How do you know I'm ever going to get out of jail? Why should I even have to go to jail? Cuz I have a couple of pictures of him >> Yeah, >> that was on my >> Yes, cuz you have child porn on your on your laptop. >> Well, like I said, I can always erase that immediately. >> Well, that's not going to happen today. Um >> Well, then I need to go to the hospital. >> Like I said, we're going to be bringing you to your apartment to get your medicine. >> Then you can take me to the hospital after that. I was supposed to make an appointment with the doctor, but I've been working with my medicine and that just quit working. >> 415 >> Okay. >> Gary was arrested after returning to the computer repair shop to retrieve his laptop. A later forensic examination of the device uncovered hundreds of images investigators flagged as along with hundreds of additional files that were marked for further review. Investigators also found extensive search history and saved material involving young girls. The findings were documented and the case was ultimately forwarded to the Portage County District Attorney's Office for further review.