Federal Trial for Audrain County Man Charged with Child Sex Crimes Begins

The federal trial for an Audrain County man charged with child sex crimes is underway. 38-year-old William Dahl faces three federal counts of production of child pornography and three counts of receipt of child pornography.

The bench trial started yesterday (Monday) in U.S. District Court in St. Louis with Judge John Ross presiding.

According to court records it is expected to last three days.

Dahl is being represented by public defenders.

Jennifer Huddleston, the woman accused of sending sexually explicit photos of a child to Dahl, is also a defendant in the federal case.

According to online records, Huddleston pleaded guilty on May 10 to production of child pornography and possession of child pornography as part of a plea agreement.

Huddleston faces at least 15 years in prison, though 17.5 years is being recommended.

Dahl also faces 24 felonies and two misdemeanors in six state cases.

Charges include rape, sodomy, kidnapping, and child molestation, among others.

Over the last two decades, Dahl has been accused of sexually assaulting multiple victims, including at least two underage victims.