Brainerd Community Leader Pleads Guilty To Child Porn

BRAINERD  (AP) -- A 52-year-old man who once was named Brainerd's Citizen of the Year has pleaded guilty to child pornography charges.

Steven "Gus" Augustinack pleaded guilty Monday to 18 counts of felony possession of pornographic computer videos involving a minor.

In court, Augustinack admitted to possessing the pornographic files on his computers and that he knew what their content was.

A plea agreement calls for 180 days in jail and five years supervised probation. Sentencing is set for June 2.

Defense attorney Charles Halverson says removing the possibility of prison time was the main reason Augustinack agreed to the deal.

Last October, Augustinack was named the 2010 Brainerd Citizen of the Year but declined to accept the award after the charges were filed.

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