17 arrested in Internet crimes investigation

BELLEVUE - Investigators call it the largest coordinated computer sting operation in the state, and it has a focus on Northeast Wisconsin.

Authorities have made 17 arrests, and more could be on the way. This is all part of a three-day effort called Operation Black Veil.

Monday morning, authorities spoke at the Brown County Sheriff's Office, outlining how the sting went down.
    
According to the criminal complaints, investigators placed online ads. The officers posed as parents, offering their children for "casual encounters" and more.

"We had multiple undercover officers working 16 hours a day. Going on the Internet, and attempting to locate people who would abuse children," said James Valley, Door County Sheriff's Office Investigator.

In the three-day sting, investigators say 500 contacts were made on line.

"The undercover investigators were working all those suspects, working to identify all those individuals that had interest, and continued working the ones that had maybe more interest than others, and were going to cross that line," said Valley.

In all, 17 people were arrested around the state, including 8 individuals from Northeast Wisconsin.

Charges and recommended charges include using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime, child enticement, and trafficking of a child.

The men range in age from 21-65. Authorities say it's difficult to profile a would-be sex offender.

"It could be anybody, a close friend, family member, you don't know what's lurking behind a computer and what some people are willing to do," said Valley.

"We didn't have any victims that we had to investigate. We were able to take them into custody before we had another victim in our community," said Ed Whealon, Shawano Police Chief.

Authorities say 100 officers from 15 agencies worked on Operation Black Veil.

Plans for future sting operations are in-the-works.

Authorities already have a warning.

"You guys will be out there, but in Wisconsin, and most notably Northeast Wisconsin where this operation started, we'll be out there looking for you," said Terry Vogel, Door County Sheriff.

Arrested were:

• Timothy J. Belz, 18. Arrested March 14 in Madison on suspicion of using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime and solicitation of a prostitute.
• Douglas Crueger, 44. Arrested March 13 in Madison on suspicion of solicitation of a prostitute.
• Joshua J. Fumelle, 23. Arrested March 13 in Outagamie County on suspicion of using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime and child enticement.
• Ryan D. Gleason, 21. Arrested March 14 in Green Bay on suspicion of using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime.
• Benjamin W. Lahti, 24. Arrested March 12 in Minocqua on suspicion of using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime, exposing a child to harmful materials and possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Marc S. Marion, 54. Arrested March 13 in Madison on suspicion of using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime.
• Timothy M. Marking, 49. Arrested March 12 in Madison on suspicion of trafficking a child and child enticement.
• Matthew J. Micksch, 26. Arrested March 12 in Green Bay on suspicion of child enticement.
• Daniel W. Moctezuma, 39. Arrested March 14 in Kenosha on suspicion of using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime and child enticement.
• Craig R. Nelson. 34. Arrested March 13 in Green Bay on suspicion of trafficking a child, possession of THC and possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Mark A. Randall, 42. Arrested March 14 in Appleton on suspicion of trafficking of a child, child enticement and resisting or obstructing an officer.
• Jeremy W. Stegall, 29. Arrested March 13 in Madison on suspicion of using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime.
• Jeffery D. Vadnais-Speck, 27. Arrested March 14 in Shawano on suspicion of using a computer to  facilitate a child sex crime.
• Phillip Waller, 36. Arrested March 13 in Wausau on suspicion of using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime.
• William C. Ward, 27. Arrested March 13 in Green Bay on suspicion of trafficking of a child.
• Michael R. Wenzel, 65. Arrested March 14 in Green Bay on suspicion of using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime.
• Charles Zimmerman, 37. Arrested March 12 in Madison on suspicion of trafficking a child.