Cottage Grove Man, Sheriff’s Deputy Charged With Sex Crimes

BARRON, WI — A Hennepin County Sheriff’s Deputy is in a northwest Wisconsin jail facing accusations of felony-level child sex crimes. Jeffrey Masek, 60, of Cottage Grove is charged with child enticement-sexual contact, attempted sexual assault of a child and using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime.

Authorities say Masek was caught after an undercover investigator placed an online ad pretending to be a 16-year-old girl, KSTP reports. Masek allegedly arranged a meeting via text with the purported girl.

He sent a text to the investigator reading he was "treating this like a very fun sex education night. You can ask about anything. Likewise, you can ask me to do anything," the criminal complaint states.

After he was arrested, Masek said "this is the worst day of my life," according to authorities.

The investigator received a response on March 22 from a self-described "older, experienced white male that was a professional in their early 50s," the complaint states.

The sheriff’s department told the Associated Press that Masek was placed on administrative leave.

Images via Barron County Jail