Mitchell man to face child pornography trial in October

(KMIT – Mitchell, SD) A Mitchell man who faces multiple counts of child pornography is scheduled to go to trial in October.  43-year old Robert Gerstenecker also faces one count of rape of a victim under 13 years old, one count of sexual contact with a child under 16 years old, and possession of a controlled substance. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.  A tip from a reporting party who saw what was believed to be child pornography during a video call with Gerstenecker led authorities to obtain a search warrant of Gerstenecker’s residence.  Officers allegedly found methamphetamine and a hidden cell phone which contained an SD card with images and videos of child pornography, including some with a man believed to be Gerstenecker engaging in sexual acts with a female who was under 13 years old.  The acts are believed to have occurred between October of 2021 and January of this year.  Gerstenecker faces up to life in prison if he is convicted.