A North Platte couple accused of manufacturing child pornography and sexually assaulting a 7-year-old girl, stood mute in Lincoln County District Court on Monday.

Billy Schrader and Julia Thiemann both appeared in court on Monday.

According to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, in mid-November, LCSO Investigators received a report that Schrader had engaged in sexual intercourse with a 7-year-old girl.  It was also reported that he 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 Schrader, and removed numerous electronic devices from the residence.  The items were transferred to the North Platte Police Department for a 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 Thiemann allegedly took photos and participated in the act.

Both Thiemann and Schrader have been charged with 1st degree sexual assault of a child, felony child abuse, possession of child pornography and four counts of manufacturing child pornography.

Schrader’s attorney, Kent Florom, said that in all his years of practicing law, this was one of the most frustrating cases he has worked.

Florom stated that a defense of Schrader is extremely difficult if not impossible, because uploading and viewing the evidence in the case on his computer, could result in him being criminally prosecuted.

Judge Richard Birch, Lincoln County Attorney Rebecca Harling and Thiemann’s attorney, P. Stephen Potter, agreed with Florom’s argument. The cases were continued so this issue can be resolved.

Thiemann originally entered a not guilty plea, but Potter withdrew the plea following Florom’s statement.

Schrader and Thiemann will be back in court on April 28th for a status hearing, and both remain incarcerated at the Lincoln County Detention Center.