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JOSEPH, MN (NewsDakota.com) – New details have emerged in the 1989 disappearance of Jacob Wetterling and were given during a press conference held today.

According to authorities, 52 year-old Daniel James Heinrich of Annandale has been identified as a person of interest. He was originally questioned in the case in 1990, but was never charged. Authorities say Heinrich is not being charged with the abduction of Jacob, but he is being charged with possession of child pornography.

Wetterling would have been 37 years old today. He was 11 at the time he was abducted. Authorities state that since the investigation is still open and ongoing, not many details will be given until more information is found.

The U.S. Attorney’s office said Thursday a search warrant had been executed seeking evidence in a 1989 kidnapping near Cold Spring and Wetterling’s disappearance near St. Joseph.

Heinrich has not been charged in either of those cases but does face charges from a long-term child exploitation investigation.

Heinrich has denied involvement in the disappearance of Wetterling, who was 11 years old at the time.

When asked if Heinrich was a suspect in the Wetterling case Stearns County Sheriff John Sanner said “we refer to him as a person of interest.”

Authorities said most of the child pornography involved young boys. Also found were video tapes Heinrich apparently shot of young boys in public.
Heinrich made an initial court appearance on the pornography charges Thursday in U.S. District Court in St. Paul.

A statement released from Patty and Jerry Wetterling, Jacob’s parents, said in part:
“The Wetterling family would like to thank all involved in the investigation of Danny Heinrich and his crimes against children. The search for Jacob is an ongoing investigation and we will watch and learn with everyone else. Right now we know what is being reported. We know what you all know.”