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Six arrested locally as part of a statewide child sex crimes crackdown

Shawano, WI, United States / TCHDailyNews
May 31, 2017 | 9:10 PM
Six arrested locally as part of a statewide child sex crimes crackdown


From left: Jeff Vadnais-Speck, James Stevens and Scott D. Lecker

A total of 16 people across Wisconsin were arrested and accused of child sex crimes, including three in Shawano County and three in Outagamie County, according to the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

Scott D. Lecker, 28, of Shawano was charged in Outagamie County for one count of child enticement-prostitution and one count of trafficking of a child, both felonies. Lecker pleaded no contest in 2011 towards two counts of possession of child pornography and had five counts dismissed. He served three years in prison and was on 10 years of extended supervision.

Jeff Vadnais-Speck, 31, of Shawano was charged in Shawano County with three counts, including felonies of child enticement-sexual contact and child enticement give/sell drugs. He’s also facing a misdemeanor charge of resisting an officer.

James Stevens, 43, of Oconto Falls was charged in Shawano County with felony counts of using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime and child enticement-sexual contact.

Brandon W. Stewart, 22, from Green Lake was charged in Shawano County with a felony county of using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime.

Christopher R. Lutzewitz, 38, of Kaukauna was charged in Outagamie County with 25 felony counts for possession of child pornography.

Jonathan B. Herschberger, 35, of Appelton was charged in Outagamie County with 10 felony counts for possession of child pornography.

The arrests of the 16 alleged child sex predators and child sex traffickers came during Operation New Hope, a week-long operation focused on child exploitation and online crimes in Wisconsin.

“I spent a large part of my career prosecuting sensitive crimes against children, and I swore to continue protecting Wisconsin’s children when I became Attorney General,” said Attorney General Schimel. “[Internet Crimes Against Children] operations like Operation New Hope bring together committed law enforcement and victim advocacy groups to stop the sexual exploitation and abuse of children. Thanks to our DOJ ICAC team and partners across the state and nation, 16 predators are behind bars, ensuring children in Wisconsin are that much safer.”

There were a total of 31 law enforcement agencies involved with the operation.