Christian County Man Convicted on Sex Crime Charge in Stone County

Monday, April 24, 2023 at 12:00 AM

A Billings man who was arrested on child sex crimes charges in Stone County, while he was awaiting sentencing on other child sex crimes charges, has been convicted of first degree child molestation.

Lance Elliott Lechner, 51, was convicted on April 13, 2023 by a Stone County jury.

According to court documents and Stone County Prosecutor Matt Selby, Lechner was charged with the offense after a 12-year-old girl told her grandmother Lechner had shown her pornography and touched her breasts while she was staying overnight at his home.

Lechner is in prison serving a 14 year sentence on the previous charges, and will be sentenced June 5, 2023 on the new conviction. Selby said because of the previous conviction, Lechner could be sentenced to life in prison.

More information on the story can be found on the Branson Tri-Lakes News Website.

(Story by Jason Wert, Branson Tri-Lakes News)

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