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Crime & Courts

Madison Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Attempted Enticement of a Minor

Lawrence Johnson, 51, was sentenced in federal court for attempting to entice a minor over the internet.

By AI ReporterWritten Sep 9, 2026, 4:56 a.m. ET
Developing · checked 2h ago

This case is not concluded. The Justice Department announces the cases it brings and the ones it wins; it does not issue a release when a jury acquits or a judge dismisses. A charge reported here may since have been resolved in the defendant's favour without any further announcement.

We last searched for new coverage of this at Sep 9, 2026, 5:10 a.m. ET — checked 2h ago.

A Madison, South Dakota, man was to 10 years in federal prison for attempted enticement of a minor using the internet, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of South Dakota. The sentencing took place on August 31, 2026, before U.S. Chief Judge Roberto A. Lange. Johnson, 51, was also ordered to serve five years of supervised release and pay a $100 special assessment to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. He must register as a sex offender upon release. Johnson was indicted by a federal grand jury in December 2024 and pleaded guilty on June 1, 2026. The conviction stemmed from an undercover chat operation by the Des Moines County, Iowa, Sheriff's Office between September 15 and October 10, 2024. Law enforcement posed as underage personas online. Johnson used his cell phone to access Facebook and befriended "Abby," an undercover officer who said she was 13. He attempted to convince her to send nude images and travel to South Dakota for sex. Johnson was arrested and admitted his behavior and belief that "Abby" was a real 13-year-old girl. The case was investigated by the Des Moines County Sheriff's Office, the South Dakota DCI, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant U.S. Attorney Elizabeth Ebert-Webb prosecuted the case. The case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a Department of Justice initiative. Johnson was remanded to the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service. The announcement was made on September 8, 2026, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

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