Internet Sex Conviction Could be Overturned for Wis. Rapids Man

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Posted: 6:12 AM Oct 3, 2008 Internet Sex Conviction Could be Overturned for Wis. Rapids Man State prosecutors are considering a possible appeal, after an appeals court overturned the conviction of a man who had a sexually explicit online chat with an investigator posing as an eighth-grade girl. Reporter: Associated Press

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MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- State prosecutors are considering a possible appeal, after an appeals court overturned the conviction of a man who had a sexually explicit online chat with an investigator posing as an eighth-grade girl.

Bill Cosh of the state Department of Justice says the agency is reviewing the decision and considering an appeal to the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

The District 4 Court of Appeals ruled yesterday that 50-year-old Eric Olson of Wisconsin Rapids did not commit a crime when he talked about sex and sent live video of himself naked from the chest up. He thought he was chatting with the girl, but it was a state agent.

Olson pleaded no contest last year to using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime.

But he later challenged the conviction, saying prosecutors never proved his intent.

The appeals court agreed. That means Olson can withdraw his plea to the charge, but prosecutors could then reinstate charges of disorderly conduct and bail jumping that were dropped in the plea deal.