BOZEMAN — Alecsander J. Ziegler of Bozeman appeared in Gallatin County Justice Court on Thursday after he was accused of offering a teenage girl drugs and tobacco products and encouraging her to engage in sexual conduct.
Ziegler, 31 years old, is charged with criminal possession of dangerous drugs, criminal distribution of dangerous drugs, and sexual abuse of children.
According to charging documents, on Monday, January 24, 2022, a detective was conducting a search of an electronic device owned by the father of a 14-year-old girl.
Messages were found, allegedly between a man named “Alec” and the girl, who was attempting to procure “acid.” The man was later identified as Ziegler.
Messages were also found between Ziegler and the girl referencing purchasing “vapes” and Ziegler reportedly acknowledging his actions could get him charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
The Bozeman police detective reportedly found messages where Ziegler and the girl also engaged in multiple conversations about sex.
When Ziegler was arrested and searched on an active bench warrant, law enforcement reportedly found a baggie of a white powdery substance on his person. The substance yielded a presumptive positive for the presence of cocaine.
During questioning, Ziegler reportedly said he communicated with the girl on Snapchat and/or Instagram and allegedly confessed to engaging in conversations of a sexual nature.
According to the charging documents: "Alecsander Ziegler did knowingly, via electronic communication, counsel and encouraged a child under 16 years of age to engage in sexual conduct that is illegal."
Bail for Ziegler was set at $100,000.
NOTE: If you have been sexually abused or are the victim of domestic violence, help is available. You can contact a law enforcement officer, a pastor, a trusted medical professional, or one of several agencies that can help, including Victim-Witness Assistance Services in Great Falls (406-315-1111) or the YWCA (406-452-1315).
