APPLETON, Wis. (WBAY) – The Appleton Police Department arrested a registered sex offender for crimes related to the sexual assault of a child.
26-year-old DePreist McGruder of Appleton, was arrested at his residence and confined in the Outagamie County Jail.
The case began when McGruder met the victim at a public location. McGruder was not known to the victim prior to the encounter.
He falsely presented himself as a 17-year-old to the victim, who was under the age of 16. McGruder continued contact with the victim both in person and through electronic means.
Police were notified after the victim suspected McGruder was older than he claimed and attempted to distance themself from him out of fear.
McGruder was confined in the Outagamie County Jail on charges including:
- Repeated (1st Degree) Sexual Assault of the Same Child
- Use of a Computer to Facilitate a Child Sex Crime
- Child Enticement
- Sending Obscene or Sexually Explicit Electronic Messages
- Grooming of a Child for Sexual Activity
- Probation Violation
At this time, there is no evidence to suggest any other children in the Appleton area were harmed.
Because this is an active criminal case, no additional details will be released at this time.
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact Officer Jason Schmitz with the Appleton Police Department at (920) 832-5500.
Copyright 2026 WBAY. All rights reserved.
