Dwayne Warren Gerard Sr., 61, Karlsruhe, was indicted last month by a federal grand jury in U.S. District Court on eight counts of sexual exploitation of a child, one count of transportation of a minor to engage in sexual activity. Two cell phones were reportedly used in commission of the crimes. The offenses allegedly occurred between 2015 and 2019.

Gerard has been in custody at the Ward County Jail since November 2020. He had originally been charged in district court in Minot with two Class AA felony counts of sexual abuse of a child under the age of 15, Class A felony use of a minor in a sexual performance, Class A felony, promoting or directing an obscene sexual performance by a minor, Class C felony possession of child pornography, Class C felony endangerment of a child or vulnerable adult, Class B felony delivery of marijuana, and Class A misdemeanor unlawful delivery of alcohol to persons under the age of 21. That case was dropped after the federal indictment was handed down. Gerard is also facing a Class AA gross sexual imposition charge in McHenry County.

A jury trial on the federal charges is scheduled for June 21.