Internet warning: Sheriff arrests Ohio man

Posted at 2 p.m. on Monday, March 1, 2021

The Brillion News

MANITOWOC - A 22-year old Ohio man is in the Manitowoc County Jail as prosecutors levy criminal charges against him over on-line contact with a 12-year old girl from rural Valders.

Sheriff Daniel Hartwig said that deputies were dispatched to a rural Town of Eaton home at 2:26 a.m. on February 27 for a trespassing incident. He said the homeowner found a Chevrolet S-10 pickup in his driveway, stuck in the snow.

When deputies approach the truck, the passenger got out and ran off. She was later identified as the young girl.

The operator was identified Matthew R. Dice, from Uniontown, Ohio.

Deputies determine that Dice and the girl met on line and he was in Wisconsin to pick her up and take her back to Ohio with him.

[Photo of Matthew R. Dice/MCSD.>>]

He was arrested for child enticement, and the case was referred to the district attorney.

Sheriff Hartwig is asking adults to discuss internet safety and the dangers of on-line predators with children, grandchildren and other children in the family. He also suggested that adults closely monitor a child's on-line activities on internet-capable devices.