October 21, 2021 at 11:18 a.m.
Oconto County man charged following ICAC investigation
Oconto County man charged following ICAC investigation
Daniel R. Franzen made his initial appearance in Oneida County Circuit Court Oct. 18 on charges including use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime and attempted sexual assault of a child under 16 years of age, both class C felonies.
According to the reports of the Oneida County sheriff's detectives involved with the case, on Aug. 24 a person later identified as Franzen made contact with an undercover detective posing as a 15-year-old girl.
The reports contained text conversations that allegedly occurred between Franzen and the officer posing as the girl.
The report said that Franzen allegedly sent the "girl" indecent photos and videos of himself, even after "she" repeatedly told him "she" was only 15.
"Age don't mean (expletive) to me," Franzen allegedly texted the "girl" at one point, according to one report.
Another detective took over the undercover operation on Oct. 15, the same day Franzen allegedly told the "girl" he was coming to Rhinelander to meet with her. This led to an arranged meeting in Rhinelander where deputies arrested him. Judge Patrick O'Melia set a $5,000 cash bond when he was booked into the Oneida County Jail.
At his initial appearance, Franzen was represented by attorney Tom Hayes, who asked that the matter be set for a preliminary hearing. O'Melia scheduled the hearing for Nov. 11, while also modifying the conditions of his cash bail to include no contact with anyone under the age of 18 except for own children and no internet activity on any electronic device.
Both charges carry maximum possible sentences of up to 40 years in prison and use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime also has a presumptive mandatory minimum term of incarceration of at least five years.
Jamie Taylor may be reached via email at [email protected].
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