Stone County Republican / Crane Chronicle
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Billings Man Charged With Crimes Against Minor

UPDATE 8/21/19: After this story went to print, we learned bond was set on Lechner's case and he was released from the Stone County Jail. Bond amount and terms are not currently available in online court records. Lechner is set to reappear on these charges October 8.
​August 22, 2019
Isaac Estes-Jones 


A 47 year old Billings man is in the Stone County Jail without bond after he is alleged to have sexually assaulted a child under the age of 12. Lance Lechner, 47, of Billings, was arrested on Tuesday, August 13.


According to affidavits of probable cause, used in filing charges, the alleged victim was interviewed at the Child Advocacy Center in Springfield in July of this year. The victim reportedly disclosed several incidences of sexual assault by Lechner that occurred in 2017 and 2018, when they were under the age of 12. 


The probable cause statement alleges Lechner, a family friend, assaulted the victim on numerous occasions, including on a trip to view the total solar eclipse in 2017. 


When the victim was interviewed at the Child Advocacy Center, they also reportedly stated Lechner would purchase candy for the victim as “a reward” for doing these things, the report states. 


Lechner is charged with two counts of statutory sodomy or attempted - deviate intercourse with a person less than 12 years of age, one count of child molestation in the second degree and one count of attempted statutory rape. 


He was arrested on August 13 without bond. He appeared in Stone County courts on Tuesday, August 20. ​

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The Stone County Republican/Crane Chronicle
P.O. Box 401, Crane, Missouri 65633
Phone: 417-723-5248      Fax: 417-723-8490
  • Home
  • Inside This Week's Issue
    • Kimberling City receives $130,000 in grants for city improvements
    • Stone County Soil & Water Annual Tree/Shrub Giveaway FRI. APR. 23 8:30 AM-3:30PM.
    • Green Forest man sentenced to twelve years for crimes in Stone County
    • Some say its the most wonderful time of the year: Morel season in full swing
    • Free 1-hour suicide prevention class
    • Galena Scholar Bowl Team Finishes Season as SWCL Champs
    • Galena Bears Sports News
    • Reeds Spring Golfers Win Tournament
    • Crane Pirates honor baseball and softball seniors
    • RSHS Botany Class Selling Plants, Vegetables, and Berries
    • School Custodian Named Employee of the Month
    • Kara Spinning Crowned as Blue Eye 2021 Prom Queen
    • State Honors for Reeds Spring Future Business Leaders
    • Branson West mask mandate set to expire soon
  • This Week's Issue
  • Archive
  • Our History
  • Place Ad
  • Subscribe
  • Contact Us
    • Contact Form