20-year-old being held on $100K cash only bond

By Kyle Troutman [email protected]

A Wheaton man has been charged with child molestation for allegedly engaging in sexual acts with a minor.

Chase Griffanti, 20, of Wheaton, is charged with fourth-degree child molestation.

According to a probable cause report filed by Det. James Myers, with the Barry County Sheriff’s Office, the alleged crime was committed between August 2025 and March 2026.

On March 22, in the evening hours, Griffanti allegedly drove to the victim’s house in Seligman and brought the victim, a minor under the age of 16, back to his residence in Wheaton. Deputies later arrived at the home after the victim was reported missing by a witness. 

A forensic interview was later conducted with the victim, who reported that Griffanti had seen them and later added them on Snapchat in August 2025. The victim disclosed their age at the time, and Griffanti was 19 years old at the time.

Griffanti and the victim met in person in October 2025, and the victim said Griffanti lied to the victim’s relatives, telling he was 18 and another he was 17.

The victim said when Griffanti went to the victim’s residence, they would have sexual intercourse. The victim said intercourse happened twice, once with contraception and once without. The victim also reported Griffanti send nude pictures of himself.

The alleged crimes were committed in Seligman.

Myers noted in the report the witness is in fear of Griffanti because he would go inside the witness’ residence late in the evening while the witness was present. The witness also has an order of protection against Griffanti.

Griffanti is being held in the Barry County jail on a cash-only bond of $100,000. A bond appearance hearing is set for Thursday at 9 a.m. in the courtroom of Judge Robert Foulke.