Update: Chase Lawrence was released Saturday, Feb. 15, pending trial. Find a copy of his release conditions below.
A Palmyra man has been arrested and charged after allegedly traveling to Ohio in 2023 to engage in sexual contact with a 14-year-old child.
Chase Alexander Lawrence, 23, was arrested Feb. 7 and charged with travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct, according to a release Thursday from the Western Lebanon County Regional Police Department.
The United State Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania said in a release that the case was was investigated by the Camden Ohio Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney K. Wesley (Wes) Mishoe is prosecuting the case.
Lawrence was described as a white, 5-foot-9 male weighing 150 pounds, with blue eyes and blond hair. As with all criminal defendants in all prosecutions, Lawrence is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
According to the release, Western Lebanon County police officers assisted the FBI Capital Area Resident Agency while serving a federal arrest warrant on Lawrence in the 200 block of North College Street, Palmyra. The arrest warrant followed a multi-month long investigation between federal task force officers, the FBI, and Western Lebanon County Regional.
According to a docket filed with the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, jury selection and trial have been scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. Monday, April 7, at the Sylvia H. Rambo U.S. Courthouse, Harrisburg, before Judge Jennifer P. Wilson. Lawrence is currently represented by Curt W. Schulz of the Federal Public Defender’s Office.
The U.S. Attorney’s office said that the case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. The maximum penalties faced by Lawrence are 30 years imprisonment, a term of supervised release after imprisonment, a fine, and a special assessment.
Western Lebanon County police said that Lawrence is currently incarcerated awaiting further federal court proceedings. Conditions of Lawrence’s pre-trial release have been set, including home detention, no contact with anyone under 18 without pre-approval by the U.S. probation office, computer and cellphone monitoring, and a mental health evaluation.
Questions about this story? Suggestions for a future LebTown article? Reach our newsroom using this contact form and we’ll do our best to get back to you.
Build the future of local news.
Cancel anytime.
Monthly
🌟 Annual
- Fewer ads
- Member newsletters
- Exclusive events
- All monthly benefits
- Most popular option
- Make a bigger impact
Already a member? Log in here to hide these messages
Help build a better-informed Lebanon County. LebTown’s independent journalism keeps you connected to your community and the issues that matter most. Become a monthly or annual member to support our mission, or make a one-time contribution to expand our coverage. Cancel anytime.
