A North Platte couple has been charged with multiple felonies stemming from an investigation of alleged child pornography and sexual assault involving a seven-year-old girl.

According to a Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) news release, in mid-November, LCSO Investigators received a report that a male subject had engaged in sexual intercourse with the girl.  It was also reported that the suspect may have photographs on his computer that would be considered child pornography.

Investigators met with the victim and several other children who were all interviewed at the Bridge of Hope Child Advocacy Center.  Authorities say the results of the interviews were inconclusive.

Deputies then served a search warrant on the home and personal belongings of 31-year-old Billy Schrader and removed numerous electronic devices from the residence.  The items were transferred to the North Platte Police Department for forensic analysis.

The NPPD conducted the analysis on the seized devices on December 13th.

The preliminary results produced at least four images that were considered to be child pornography.

Deputies again made contact with Schrader and placed the children under his care in the custody of the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.  Schrader denied any knowledge of the images.

Additional interviews were then conducted with the children at the Bridge of Hope.  During the interviews, a juvenile disclosed that Schrader did have sex with the girl while a female took photos and participated in the act.

The female was indentified as 32-year-old Julia Thiemann.

On Monday, Schrader and Thiemann were contacted at their residence and placed under arrest.  They have both been charged with 1st degree sexual assault of a child, possession of child pornography and felony child abuse.

Sheriff’s officials say the investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed.

Schrader and Thiemann are both incarcerated at the Lincoln County Detention Center.