Wisconsin Man Indicted for Kidnapping Greenville Child
May 21, 2024
A Wisconsin man has been indicted for kidnapping a child from Greenville, South Carolina, with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. Tyler Michael Berlick, 35, of Muskego, Wisconsin, faces multiple charges related to the abduction of a minor, according to the United States Department of Justice.
Details of the Indictment
The federal grand jury in Greenville returned a three-count indictment against Berlick, charging him with traveling across state lines with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor, transporting a minor across state lines with the intent to engage in sexual conduct, and the production of child sexual abuse materials. The indictment alleges that Berlick traveled from Wisconsin to South Carolina in February of this year with the intent of engaging in sexual activity with a minor. He then transported the child to Florida with the same intent.
According to the indictment, Berlick met the child in an online game and believed that she was 13 years old at the time of the abduction. The charges against Berlick carry a maximum penalty of life in prison. He is scheduled to be arraigned on May 23 before Magistrate Judge Kevin McDonald.
Project Safe Childhood
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the U.S. Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. Project Safe Childhood aims to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who sexually exploit children, as well as to identify and rescue victims. The initiative mobilizes federal, state, and local resources to address the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation.
For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit the official website of the DOJ at www.justice.gov/psc.
Investigative Agencies
The case was investigated by multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI Columbia Field Office, the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, the FBI Miami Field Office, the Lantana Police Department in Florida, the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office in Florida, and the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department in Wisconsin. Assistant U.S. Attorney Winston Marosek is prosecuting the case.
Presumption of Innocence
U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs emphasized that all charges in the indictment are merely accusations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. The indictment serves as a formal accusation of criminal conduct, and the defendant is entitled to a fair trial where the government must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Use of Terminology
The term “child pornography” has been historically used in federal statutes and is defined as any visual depiction of sexually explicit conduct involving a person under 18 years old. However, the preferred term, “child sexual abuse material,” better reflects the abuse depicted in the images and videos as well as the resulting trauma to the child.
Statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office
In a statement released to the press, U.S. Attorney Adair F. Boroughs reiterated that the charges against Tyler Michael Berlick are serious offenses that will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to pursuing justice for the victim and holding the perpetrator accountable for their actions.
Contact Information
For media inquiries or additional information, please contact Veronica Hill, Public Affairs Specialist, at the U.S. Attorney’s Office via email at veronica.hill@usdoj.gov or by phone at (803) 929-3000.
