Appleton police arrested a 26-year-old registered sex offender at his home on Monday, booking him into the Outagamie County Jail on multiple felony counts tied to an investigation into alleged sexual contact with a child and related online communications, authorities said. Police described the case as active and said they are keeping a tight lid on details while investigators continue their work.
According to The Post-Crescent, investigators say the man met a child under 16 at a public location, then kept in contact both in person and through electronic messages. Police told the paper the suspect at times falsely claimed to be 17 during those contacts. The Post-Crescent reports that the allegations listed at booking include repeated first-degree sexual assault of the same child, along with several computer-related and grooming-related counts.
"The investigation is active and no additional information will be immediately released," Appleton police said, according to The Post-Crescent. The department asked anyone with information to contact Officer Jason Schmitz at 920-832-5500 and said there was no evidence that other children in the Appleton area had been harmed.
Charges and booking
The man was booked into the Outagamie County Jail, according to the county's public booking list at Outagamie County. The county provides a daily media report of recent jail bookings. Arrests are processed through Outagamie Corrections, then reviewed by prosecutors, and formal charges and court dates are set by the Outagamie County District Attorney's office as the investigation moves forward.
Legal context
The allegations described in the booking information are serious felonies under state law and carry substantial potential penalties if prosecutors file charges and the accused is ultimately convicted. The suspect is presumed innocent unless and until a court finds otherwise.
How to help
Anyone with tips, photos or electronic messages that might be connected to the case is asked to call the Appleton Police Department at (920) 832-5500 and request Officer Jason Schmitz. Additional department contact information is available through the Appleton Police Department.
