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* UPDATED x1 * Former GOP Rep. Sauer posts bond as indictment unveiled

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* Press release…

Lake County State’s Attorney, Michael G. Nerheim announced that on January 10, 2019 Nicholas Sauer surrendered to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and appeared before the Honorable Judge Paul Novak. Mr. Sauer posted 10% of the $30,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on February 6, 2018 at 9am in courtroom T510 before the Honorable Patricia Fix. Mr. Sauer is to follow the following bond conditions:

No contact with the victims
No use of social media

State’s Attorney Nerheim would like to remind the public that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Meanwhile, the indictment has been released. Click here, but it’s not for the faint of heart. The reason he’s been charged with twelve felony accounts is because he allegedly posted twelve “intimate parts” photos of two women online.

*** UPDATE *** Press release…

My name is Mrs. Melissa Kreithen and I am a victim of non-consensual dissemination of private sexual images committed by former Illinois representative Nick Sauer. I started dating Nick Sauer in mid 2016 after he friend requested me on social media while I was single. At first, Nick seemed like a nice guy and as our relationship progressed, intimate and private images were exchanged with him in confidence. However, after a few months, I broke up with him due to his unusual and erratic behavior.

On August 2nd, 2018 I saw the news story about Nick’s ex-girlfriend who filed a complaint with the Chicago Office of the Legislative Inspector General, accusing Mr. Sauer of sharing private naked photos and personal details on a fake Instagram account to lure men into “graphic conversations of a sexual nature.”

Based on these allegations, I felt it was very possible that Nick was using my photos in a similar way. It has been extremely frustrating trying to find out how to proceed with the proper legal avenue. After many phone calls, we contacted Illinois State Senator Melinda Bush’s office and was referred to contact the Chicago Police, without success. We also contacted the FBI cyber division and left a complaint, without a response.

Fortunately, we finally connected with Illinois resident and victim’s advocate Denise Rotheimer who was interviewed on TV about the Nick Sauer story. She was able to contact State Attorney Michael Nerheim’s office about the potential crimes by Nick, and we were then referred to the Lake County Special Investigator Jim Magna. I was asked to make a voluntary statement and eventually confirmed evidence that Nick was using my intimate photos when the investigators subpoenaed Instagram and found a fake page that Nick had created using my images to solicit men.

As a victim of this deplorable crime committed by Nick Sauer, I wish that he be brought to justice to the full extent of the law as well as make a full, formal pubic apology to me and any other individuals he has committed crimes against. There’s no excuse for someone using private intimate photos of someone without their consent in this matter, especially a politician who was part of a sexual harassment task force in his home state.

I am also concerned there might be other victims of his crimes, and want to reach out and empower others to have the courage to come forward. If you suspect you were also a victim of Nick Sauer, please contact the Lake County Special Investigator at the Illinois State Attorney’s Office at JMagna@lakecountyil.gov

Also, if you feel that you are a victim of revenge pornography, or non-consensual dissemination of private sexual images, there are concerned people and organizations that can help you. You can contact the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative at 844-878-2274. Their website is www.cybercivilrights.org Another resource is HeartMob at www.iheartmob.org where you can report and document online harassment.

Due to my frustration in seeking justice, I found out that not all states have laws about these types of deviant and predatory crimes that were committed by former representative Sauer. Thankfully, there is a Federal Bill that was introduced by Senators Kamala Harris, Richard Burr and Amy Klobuchar called the ENOUGH Act. This legislation, if passed, will make it illegal everywhere to “knowingly distribute private, visual depictions of an individual’s intimate parts or of an individual engaging in sexually explicit conduct” without their consent. Please contact your local representatives to support this much needed legislation.

I realize that coming forward jeopardizes my personal and family’s privacy and puts me in the public eye, for better or worse. For additional information on this unfortunate situation, I will be updating periodically on my Instagram page Missy_kreithen

Sent to me with permission to send out to media
All my best, Denise Rotheimer

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 10, 19 @ 2:10 pm

Comments

So the new victim’s (Melissa’s) pics were posted in the fall of 2017, and the girlfriend we knew about (Kathryn) had her pics posted in spring summer of 2018. Kathryn says they’ve been in a long term relationship for 2 years (if I remember correctly), so he was talking with Melissa, and illegally sharing her pics, while Kathryn thought they were in an exclusive relationship. Whew.

Comment by Perrid Thursday, Jan 10, 19 @ 2:26 pm
–Click here, but it’s not for the faint of heart. –

You’re not kidding. The twisted, vicious ugliness is beyond belief.

Sauer better hope that family members of the alleged victims don’t seek to contact him, like with the fat end of a Louisville Slugger.

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jan 10, 19 @ 2:32 pm
Searching for words that won’t get me banned. That man, and anyone who would do this, deserves every single bit of the scorn, shunning and thunderous justice coming his way.

Comment by lakeside Thursday, Jan 10, 19 @ 2:55 pm
Very strong woman in the update. She is doing a public service. I would bet there is more out there. His troubles have just started. He better hope all his victims were of age and not a minor

Comment by DuPage Saint Thursday, Jan 10, 19 @ 2:56 pm
“full, formal pubic apology to me”
That is an unfortunate typo.

Comment by Anon Thursday, Jan 10, 19 @ 3:42 pm