A Coleman teen is accused of setting up a sexual rendezvous via the Internet with a 15-year-old boy in the town of Wescott.
Ryan L. Zempel, 19, was charged Friday with using a computer to facilitate a sex crime. He could face a maximum 40 years in prison and $100,000 fine if convicted.
According to the criminal complaint, Zempel was expecting to meet the boy at Shawano County Park about 8 p.m Thursday. He was instead taken into custody without incident by Shawano County sheriff’s deputies.
Authorities had developed a lead the day before indicating that Zempel was “allegedly engaged in inappropriate computer and text messaging activity,” said Capt. Tom Tuma, “reportedly with a 15-year-old male.”
Tuma said the department investigated the matter over the course of the next 27 hours and facilitated a meeting with Zempel, with an undercover officer posing as the boy.
Zempel was ordered held on a $7,500 cash bond after a court appearance before Shawano-Menominee County Circuit Court Judge William Kussel Jr. He is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on Tuesday.
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