Milana Doné
RACINE — A Union Grove man pleaded not guilty Wednesday in connection to allegations of messaging a young girl online.
Steven Lachance, 41, faces one count of child enticement-sexual contact, one count of using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime and three counts of causing a child age 13-18 to view sexual activity.
According to a criminal complaint, the Mount Pleasant Police Department began investigating after receiving a report April 14 from BOOPAC’s Promise, a nonprofit dedicated to exposing child predators.
The report indicated that someone from the organization had posed as “Ashley,” a 14-year-old girl, and engaged in online messages with “Daniel,” who was identified as Lachance.
On April 14, MPPD took over the investigation, and an officer continued posing as “Ashley.”
According to the complaint, the chats reportedly made clear to Lachance that “Ashley” was 14. He allegedly said he was 41, asked if she was “open to dating an older guy,” and said he “would love to date her,” according to the complaint.
The officer posing as the child and Lachance arranged to meet at a fast-food restaurant in Mount Pleasant. On April 17, Lachance’s van arrived at the restaurant and he was arrested.
Lachance reportedly told MPPD that he had spoken to teen girls online for about a month and had exchanged photos.
During a competency hearing Aug. 19, Lachance was found competent to proceed.
He is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 27 for a status conference.
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