Sex offender wearing GPS monitor device for feds charged with alleged sexual assault of 16-year-old girl

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KENOSHA COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The search is over for a man accused of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl.

Stephen Smith, 61, of Kenosha allegedly committed the sex crime while wearing an electronic GPS monitor for the U.S. Marshals Service.

Smith made his initial court appearance Thursday in Kenosha County. He is facing 11 charges related to the alleged sexual assault which authorities said happened in July at the Bluebird Motel in Somers.

According to the criminal complaint, he knew the 16-year-old victim who is from Illinois. It was a friend of hers who introduced them to each other.

Once Smith found out authorities were looking for him, he allegedly cut the GPS off his ankle.

Authorities said he would get to know his victims, then lore them. "He didn’t go to the mall, he didn’t break into homes. The average female walking in Kenosha County or anywhere wasn't at risk, it appears his method of operation was to groom people and become closer with them,” said David Beth, Kenosha County Sheriff.

Authorities admit there was a delay in finding him because they didn’t know he was in the area.

“He didn’t cut it off for a month, and then we believe he heard we were looking for him…the electronic monitoring device he was wearing, we weren’t notified, it wasn’t part of our system. It goes right back to the US Marshals Office.”

Smith was previously convicted of similar crimes in Illinois. According to the criminal complaint, he sexually abused his own daughter who was under 13 years old. He also did the same to an 11-year-old neighbor.

His bond was set at $260,000 cash, total. He was also ordered to not contact the 16-year-old girl, her family and other minors.

A preliminary hearing is set for Sept. 27 at 9:45 a.m.

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