Man pleads not guilty to sexually abusing teen after meeting via smartphone app
HALES CORNERS- A Waukesha man who's accused of sexually abusing a teenager with help from a smartphone app was in court Friday.
Prosecutors say Daniel Schmidt used a smart phone app named Skout to meet the teen for sex.
Daniel Schmidt made his first court appearance Friday and prosecutors say he met the 13-year-old victim from Muskego through the phone app. It allegedly happened early this month in a secluded park in Hales Corners. Schmidt pleaded not guilty.
His defense attorney told TODAY'S TMJ4 his client is having a tough time.
"He's a troubled young man with issues," said defense attorney Jonathan LaVoy. "He comes from a very nice family. Very nice young man. We have him actively involved in counseling. We're working with him now. He's doing OK but this has been tough with all the attention and he's got a very strong family."
The phone app has changed its operations since the arrest. Its now available only to those over the age of 18.
Three child sex assaults were linked to the app, including one alleged assault in Milwaukee County.
Schmidt could face 40 years in prison if convicted.
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