WAUSAU, Wis. – A state appeals court has upheld the conviction of a former Chippewa Falls man accused of leaving a sex toy and instructions for a 14-year-old girl.

A jury found 57-year-old Dennis D. McCoy guilty in 2007 of exposing a child to harmful material. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

In his appeal, McCoy argued that his counsel was ineffective and that he didn’t receive a timely preliminary hearing.

The 3rd District Court of Appeals rejected the claims Tuesday, upholding the verdict and sentence.

Court records say McCoy left a note telling the girl how to use the sex toy. Prosecutors say he later tried to intimidate her to prevent her from telling her mother about the note.

A message for McCoy’s defense attorney wasn’t immediately returned.