MERRILL — A 67-year-old Stevens Point man accused of trying to pay for sex with a 15-year-old girl has reached a plea deal, canceling a trial that set to begin next week.
Leo Pelot faces charges filed March 22 in Lincoln County Circuit Court of child trafficking, attempted sexual assault of a child and child enticement.
Police say Pelot, using the name “John Crane,” arranged to meet a woman he thought was the aunt of the girl at a Merrill fast food restaurant and paid the woman $100 to have sex with the teen. But the “aunt” turned out to be an investigator, and Pelot was arrested and charged.
A three-day jury trial that was to begin Nov. 19 is now off the calendar. Instead, Pelot will appear Jan. 23 in Lincoln County Circuit Court for a plea hearing. He’ll be sentenced in April, following a presentencing investigation.
Pelot was released from jail April 23 after posting a $30,000 cash bond, court records show. Bond conditions require Pelot to adhere to a strict curfew from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. and to surrender his passport and all electronic devices capable of accessing the internet.
