November 30, 2021 – a West Bend, WI – On Sunday, November 28, 2021 at 10:37 p.m. a deputy from the Logan County Sheriff’s Department in Kentucky notified West Bend Police that the Logan County Sheriff’s Department was investigating the report of a 15-year-old girl missing from their jurisdiction.
The Logan County Sheriff’s deputy reported the girl’s father had information his daughter may be with an adult male from West Bend.
Based on information provided by the Logan County Sheriff’s Department and the girl’s father, West Bend police officers stopped a vehicle on Monday, November 29, 2021 at 2:48 a.m. in the City of West Bend. Officers identified the driver of the vehicle as Steven M. Stathas, 12-09-90, presently residing in the City of West Bend.
When West Bend officers stopped the vehicle, the 15-year-old missing girl from Kentucky was a passenger in the vehicle.
West Bend Police investigators learned the 15-year-old girl voluntarily drove with Mr. Stathas from Kentucky to Wisconsin. Investigators also learned Mr. Stathas drove to Kentucky a number of times in October and November 2021 and visited the 15-year-old girl.
During those visits, Mr. Stathas and the 15-year-old girl engaged in a sexual relationship. West Bend Police arrested Mr. Stathas for Using a Computer to Facilitate Child Sex Crimes. He is presently in the Washington County Jail. The West Bend Police Department is working with officials in Logan County Kentucky to coordinate additional charges against Mr. Stathas.
Mr. Stathas is a registered sex offender. He was convicted of Child Enticement in Ozaukee County in 2010. He was sentenced to 5 years in prison and 5 years extended supervision. Mr. Stathas is no longer under the supervision of the Department of Correction. He is required to register as a sex offender until 2036.