Oshkosh, WI – A Menasha man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after coercing an 11-year-old Maryland child into producing explicit images, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
On January 30, 2026, Lawrence J. Chase, 22, was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment for the production of child pornography under federal law. Following his release, he will face 10 years of supervised release and must register as a sex offender.
According to the Department of Justice, Chase began contacting the minor online in March 2025, knowing the child was underage. He allegedly coerced the victim into sending explicit photos and also sent obscene images of himself during their conversations.
U.S. District Court Judge Byron B. Conway called the crime “serious,” citing the child’s young age as an aggravating factor. Judge Conway noted Chase’s prior state convictions involving children, which previously resulted in reduced charges and no jail time.
“This defendant took the innocence of a child who will never get that part of their childhood back,” said U.S. Attorney Brad D. Schimel. “Every pedophile that harms our children should know law enforcement is working night and day to catch them and punish them.”
Winnebago County Sheriff John Matz commended the joint investigation. “Holding individuals responsible for their despicable acts involving innocent children is our top priority,” Matz said.
The FBI Milwaukee Field Office and Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel R. Humble prosecuted it under Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide DOJ initiative targeting online child exploitation.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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