Moorcroft Man Pleads Not Guilty To Sexually Touching Underage Girl

A Moorcroft man pleaded not guilty to one count of third degree sexual assault of a minor during his arraignment in Natrona County District Court on Friday.

Chandler Lawrence, who was 21 when he was arrested in December, could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted.

His trial is set for April 20.

The case began about 4:30 a.m. Saturday when police received a report from an officer patrolling the parking lot of the Casper Events Center who said he found a Chandler with an underage female in a pickup, according to an affidavit filed with circuit court.

After being read his Miranda rights, Chandler told police he started a profile on the badoo.com social site. He and the girl only communicated through the web site, and never talked on the phone or texted, according to the affidavit.

Chandler drove from Moorcroft to Casper, picked up the girl at her house at midnight, drove around Casper and eventually to the events center. They started kissing and petting, but never under each others' clothes.

A detective advised the alleged victim of the dangers of meeting a total stranger online, getting into his vehicle, and trusting he won't hurt her, according to the affidavit.

Chandler is free on a $10,000 bond.