Brad D. Schimel, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, announced that on January 30, 2026, Lawrence J. Chase (age: 22) of Menasha, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 180 months’ imprisonment for the offense of Production of Child Pornography in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 2251(a).
In March 2026, Chase began engaging online with an 11-year-old child located in the State of Maryland. Chase knew he was messaging with a minor and coerced the child into sending sexually explicit images of the child’s genitalia, which constituted child sexual abuse material under state and federal law. Chase also sent inappropriate and obscene images of himself to the child while engaging in sexualized conversations.
At sentencing, U.S. District Court Judge Byron B. Conway noted the serious nature of the offense. Judge Conway found the victim’s age to be an aggravating factor requiring significant punishment. Judge Conway also noted that Chase’s prior state convictions for crimes against children had resulted in reduced charges and no jail time in either case. After weighing the evidence and arguments, Judge Conway determined that 15 years’ imprisonment was a fair and just sentence. Following his release from federal prison Chase will be required to spend 10 years on supervised release and will be required to register as a sex offender under state and federal law.
“This defendant took the innocence of a child who will never get that part of their childhood back,” said U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel. “As a consequence, he will lose a decade and a half of his life to a federal penitentiary. Every pedophile that harms our children should know law enforcement is working night and day to catch them and punish them.”
“Holding individuals responsible for their despicable acts involving innocent children is our top priority.” said Winnebago County Sheriff John Matz. “Working with our federal partners we were able to ensure accountability and protect our children from this predator in the future.”
“Mr. Chase preyed on an 11-year-old minor and the sentence he received reflects the severity of the crime committed,” said FBI Milwaukee Special Agent in Charge Alan Karr. “The FBI is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to investigate and combat violent crimes against children.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office. It was be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Daniel R. Humble.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006, by the U.S. Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices and the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
