A former parochial school principal was due back in court this week for a preliminary hearing after being charged with four counts of causing a child over the age of 13 to view or listen to sexual activity in Winnebago County.
The 25-year-old was employed by Matthew’s Lutheran Church and School in Iron Ridge and has since lost his position after being formally charged, it was reported.
Police allege that the man posted a Craigslist ad looking for a female who was interested in chatting and potentially meeting in person. Oshkosh police then responded to the man pretending to be a 15-year-old Oshkosh girl.
The man then allegedly sent multiple sexually explicit text messages to the Oshkosh detective posing as the girl between Dec. 11 and Jan. 8, 2015.
The man may have thought that he could stay out of trouble by messaging with the “girl” but never meeting her in person. However, as this case shows, it is possible to be criminally charged with a serious crime for sending sexually explicit messages to a minor.
Not only does the man face prison time, he has already lost his job as a result of the charges. Because the stakes are so high in computer sex crimes cases, those who are under investigation or accused of breaking the law must turn to an experienced criminal defense attorney for help.
Computer sex crimes are often prosecuted by the federal government, which can make them more difficult to defend without the right attorney. These charges involve the use of a computer and the Internet in order to solicit or a minor, or possess or distribute child pornography.
Computer sex crimes charges can jeopardize a person’s reputation, future and freedom, which is why they must be taken extremely seriously.