Ex-Cop Convicted Of Luring Girls Over Facebook To Be Sentenced Again
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Minnesota Court of Appeals says the prison sentence for a former Minneapolis police officer is too short.
On Monday, the appeals court issued a ruling reversing Bradley Schnickel's sentencing and remanding it back to the lower court.
Back in May 2014, Schnickel, 34, was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for using social media to prey on young girls. The sentence was a significant downward departure from the state requested 142-month prison sentence -- nearly 12 years.
The appeals court's ruling Monday argues the district court judge's decision to depart from the sentencing guidelines "improperly relied exclusively on offender-related factors." Those factors include Schnickel showing remorse for his actions, acceptance of responsibility and a demonstrated willingness for treatment.
Schnickel pleaded guilty back in February 2014 to charges of criminal sexual conduct, attempted criminal sexual conduct and engaging in electronic communications relating to or describing sexual conduct with a child.
Investigators found more than 700 Facebook contacts Schnickel had made with middle school and high school-aged girls on his computer. He admitted to posing as a younger man in his 20s, even though he was a decade older and married with children.
No date has been set for the new sentencing.
