Felony Abuse Charges Filed
Following Internet Encounter
A New Jersey woman is facing felony sexual abuse charges in Arkansas for allegedly fondling a 14-year-old girl after the two met over an Internet lesbian chat line.
The Fort Smith, Arkansas, Southwest Times Record reported that the girl used a Fort Smith Public Library computer to correspond with the woman, identified as Jill Michelle Cronk. After the online meeting, Cronk allegedly flew from New Jersey and met the girl in the library, after which they went to a hotel.
Though the encounter was reportedly consensual, charges were filed because Arkansas law prohibits sexual activity with persons under 16 by people over 20. Police said the girl told Cronk she was 17 years old.
Library Director Larry Larson told the newspaper that library policy states the library is not in a position to supervise a child's use of the Internet and that the responsibility falls to the parents.
Posted May 11, 1998.
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