Brookfield Man on Probation for Child Porn Conviction Faces New Federal Charges for Possessing Over 30,000 Files of CSAM
A Brookfield man previously convicted of a child pornography offense in 2019 is now facing new and even more serious federal charges involving an extensive collection of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), federal authorities revealed this week.
Daniel Scharmer, who was on probation for pandering sexually-oriented material involving a minor, has been charged in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio with receipt and distribution of visual depictions involving real minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct, as well as possession of child pornography. His charges stem from a federal investigation that uncovered over 30,000 files of CSAM on his devices, an amount investigators say made Scharmer the second-highest downloader of such material in Ohio during the time of the alleged offenses.
Disturbing Details and Past Criminal History
According to the federal indictment, between October 2022 and October 2024, Scharmer used his home internet to download and distribute thousands of illegal files, many of which involved children under the age of 12. Some of the files reportedly depicted sadistic and masochistic acts, making the case particularly egregious in the eyes of prosecutors.
Federal agents executed a search warrant in January 2025 at Scharmer’s Brookfield residence after receiving a tip tracing a massive amount of illegal downloads to his IP address. During the search, investigators reportedly recovered thousands of files stored across multiple devices.
Despite admitting to authorities that he had a “porn addiction,” Scharmer denied having any interest in child pornography, according to court documents. However, the nature, volume, and content of the material collected painted a starkly different picture, authorities say.
At the time of the alleged offenses, Scharmer was still serving a five-year probation sentence for a 2019 felony conviction in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court for pandering sexually-oriented matter involving a minor. In that case, prosecutors had sought a prison sentence, but Scharmer was granted probation.
Detention Ordered Without Bond
Given his prior conviction and the severity of the new allegations, a federal judge denied Scharmer bond during a hearing last week. He will remain in federal custody until his trial.
“The court found that the egregious nature of the charges, combined with the sheer quantity of illegal material and his prior conviction, warranted detention,” court records state.
Upcoming Trial and Public Reaction
Scharmer is scheduled to return to federal court on June 17, where pre-trial motions are expected to begin. If convicted, he faces significant prison time under federal sentencing guidelines, which impose mandatory minimum sentences for repeat offenders and for crimes involving large volumes of CSAM and material depicting extreme abuse.
Community advocates and child safety experts have expressed concern that Scharmer was on probation during the time he allegedly reoffended.
“This case underscores why certain offenses, especially involving child sexual exploitation, demand stricter sentencing and proactive monitoring,” said [Name], a child protection advocate. “This isn’t just about downloads, it’s about real children being harmed. The law must prioritize their safety above all.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office continues to lead the prosecution, and the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges or further actions depending on the forensic review of the devices seized from Scharmer’s home.
This case is a stark reminder of the digital pathways through which crimes against children persist, and the critical role of cybercrime units, tips from the public, and vigilant law enforcement in bringing offenders to justice.
