A Salem man was indicted this week for possession of child pornography.

Jeffrey S. Schroeder, 53, was indicted Dec. 8 for two counts of possession of child pornography. He was charged after a joint investigation by state and federal law enforcement following a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

According to a statement from the U.S. Department of Justice, the Center for Missing and Exploited Children forwarded a “cyber tipline” report to the Wisconsin Department of Justice Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

Task force investigators executed a search warrant Sept. 1 on Schroeder’s home, 10417 256th Ave. in Trevor.

According to a statement from the Department of Justice, Schroeder “knowingly possessed child pornography involving an indentifiable minor” on or about Dec. 27, 2008 and on or about Sept. 1, 2009. An “indentifiable minor” means a person whose photograph as a minor was used in creating, adapting or modifying the image, and whose face or likeness is recognizable, according to the statement.

In the affidavit in support of the search warrant, investigators interviewed witnesses who had seen the images on Schroeders’ computer and on files copied from Schroeders’ computer. In the affidavit, witnesses told investigators that the photographs appeared to show pictures taken of girls aged 12 to 13 who had visited Schroeders’ home nine years ago. It appeared that photos had been altered, cutting-and-pasting photographs of the girls’ faces onto pornographic images.

The affidavit includes a copy of an e-mail Schroeder allegedly wrote to a person who had confronted him after seeing the images on his computer. The e-mail criticizes the person who confronted him, saying “you went through my things without permission and found some items I am not proud of.” The writer later adds “as a Christian I forgive you.”

The indictment was the result of a joint investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

If convicted Schroeder faces up to 10 years imprisonment, a $250,000 fine and a minimum of five years and up to life of supervised release on each count.