Lebanon Police Department detectives responded to a concerned citizen’s call regarding an online sexual conversation involving a Lebanon man on March 11.
An investigation revealed that, beginning in January 2025, Fritz Henry Lutje, 48, engaged in sexually-explicit conversations online with an individual he believed to be a minor. During these exchanges, he proposed meeting in person.
Video posted in a social media group revealed Lutje was apparently working at Walmart in Lebanon when he was confronted about the allegations.
Detectives contacted and arrested Lutje on March 12 in Albany. He was lodged at the Linn County Jail on charges of second-degree online sexual corruption of a child (ORS 163.432).
In a press release, LPD stated local police have had minimal prior contact with Lutje, and all previous interactions were non-criminal in nature.
The investigation is continuing. Police ask anyone with information to contact Det. James Glover at 541-258-4326 or Det. Sergeant Jeremy Weber at 541-258-4342.