Ex-teacher sentenced in sex assault of student in Brookfield

By Bruce Vielmetti of the Journal Sentinel

A former Waukesha County teacher who sexually assaulted one of his students in 1990 was sentenced Friday to seven months in jail as a condition of a three-year probation term.

Ronald A. Schaefer, 49, of Skokie, Ill., pleaded guilty in July to third-degree sexual assault. After serving his jail term in Waukesha County, Schaefer could have his probation transferred to Illinois. Waukesha County Circuit Judge William Domina agreed with the recommended probation sentence, but added the condition of a year in jail, though he stayed the final five months, meaning Schaefer could serve additional time depending on his behavior.

In addition, Domina ordered Schaefer to register as a sex offender and not work as a teacher or coach with any children under age 18. He will begin his jail term on Monday. Schaefer was charged in May 2006 after a then-30-year-old woman told Brookfield police she had had a sexual relationship with Schaefer when she was in eighth grade. Schaefer taught and coached at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church and School, N87-W16171 Kenwood Blvd., Menomonee Falls, at that time. The assaults took place in Brookfield.

"It took a lot of courage, strength and character for her to stick with this," District Attorney Brad Schimel said of the victim, noting the case has taken four years and gone through three judges to reach a "very good result."

"Each time a victim like this withstands adversity, it makes us a better justice system," Schimel said.

By 2006, Schaefer had become a teacher, administrator and coach at a large Lutheran high school in Chicago. He was suspended after his arrest and has not been a teacher since. Schaefer's efforts to obtain police reports about the victim's accusations prior to his preliminary hearing wound up going to the state Supreme Court, which upheld the trial court's denial of the records.

About Bruce Vielmetti

Bruce Vielmetti writes about legal affairs.

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