Leader Staff
Authorities arrested three men on child sex crime and other charges Thursday, according to a news release from the Shawano County Sheriff’s Office.
A joint investigation between the sheriff’s department and Shawano police resulted in the arrest of a 23-year-old Shawano man, who is currently being held in the Shawano County Jail on allegations that include first-degree sexual assault of a child, use of a computer to facilitate a sex crime, and exposing genitals to a child.
Collaborative efforts between the departments also led to the arrest of a 43-year-old Fremont man after he allegedly arranged to meet who he believed to be a 15-year-old girl for an alleged sexual encounter. The subject was arrested on charges alleging use of a computer to facilitate a sex crime.
Sheriff’s detectives also arrested a 45-year-old Appleton man on charges of using a computer to facilitate a sex crime and child enticement.
The arrests came within hours of one another Thursday afternoon. Charges have not yet been filed.
“The month of December was marked by continued collaboration between the Shawano County Sheriff’s Office and the Shawano Police Department in dedicating time and resources to investigate predatory crimes committed against children and through the ongoing proactive measures taken throughout the region as part of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force,” Sheriff Adam Bieber said.
“Despite numerous arrests in both the reactive and preventative operations, it has become obvious that continued vigilance to this regional problem is warranted,” he said.
“These operations are extensive, time-consuming, and are being run while officers, detectives and deputies are fulfilling other obligations,” Bieber said. “It is concerning that no matter how many arrests we make and how vocal we are that we are operating online, victimization and predatory behavior continues within the region. In the interest of public safety and the security of our children, we will continue these operations to the extent we are able.”