International Falls Man Indicted in Alleged Kidnapping, Sexual Assault of Zimmerman Child
Published: May 29th 2026
ZIMMERMAN MN: An International Falls man has been indicted by a federal grand jury in connection with the alleged kidnapping and sexual assault of a child from Zimmerman earlier this year, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA).
Federal prosecutors allege that 28-year-old Joseph Andrew Bragg kidnapped and sexually assaulted the child in January 2026. Bragg has also been charged with producing and possessing child sexual abuse material involving a second minor victim.
According to the BCA, the investigation began on Jan. 21 after the child was reported missing under suspicious circumstances. The agency issued an AMBER Alert and worked alongside the Sherburne County Sheriff's Office and the Federal Bureau of Investigation to locate the child and identify a suspect.
Authorities ultimately identified Bragg as a suspect and, hours later, law enforcement officers stopped his vehicle as he traveled toward the Iowa border. Investigators located both Bragg and the missing child inside the vehicle.
Bragg was taken into custody and remains held at the Sherburne County Jail.
The BCA said investigators believe there may be additional victims connected to the case. Anyone with information about Bragg is encouraged to contact the FBI Tip Line at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or submit information online at tips.fbi.gov.
Federal charges are allegations, and Bragg is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.