Police discover videos, images of man sexually assaulting one-year-old

NEW BERLIN/BROOKFIELD (WITI) -- Investigators were looking for evidence related to a burglary in New Berlin -- and they did not expect to find horrifying images of a one-year-old being sexually assaulted. Now, a 27-year-old man faces charges -- and could spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Michael McMullen

New Berlin police began investigating the burglary of a landscaping business -- and issued a search warrant for 27-year-old Michael McMullen -- confiscating his cell phone, iPad and laptop.

A criminal complaint says police found 14 photographs and nine videos McMullen had taken of himself sexually assaulting a one-year-old boy.

"They came across these photographs and videos on his iPhone. It was in the phone, and for whatever reason, he had it on there and probably had no intention or belief that it was going to come to light. It was very disturbing. I have children of my own, and see what he's doing to this child, the next couple nights I didn't get much sleep," Town of Brookfield Police Chief Sean Schmidt said.

Police believe the videos were taken over a one-week period in December, inside a home in Brookfield.

"It looked like it was shot on his phone. For whatever reason, I'll never understand," Schmidt said.

Schmidt says police are thankful they caught this and are able to help a victim who is too young to even speak for himself.

"It was very disturbing that he would do this to this child," Schmidt said.

McMullen has been charged with 16 counts of child pornography, and one count of first degree sexual assault of a child.

If convicted, he faces close to 500 years behind bars -- essentially a life sentence.