A Waukesha pastor and former school bus driver, who said he has struggled with lust his entire life, is charged with first-degree sexual assault of a child after admitting to touching a 10-year-old girl's breast at Fox River Christian Church.
Peter J. Knebel, 72, was arrested on Sunday, July 26, and subsequently charged on Monday, July 27, for having sexual contact with a child younger than 13 years old inside his church office, S46 W24130 Lawnsdale Road, Waukesha.
During an investigation, Knebel admitted his involvement, said Lt. Patrick R. Esser of the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department.
Knebel, 2063 Cliff Alex Court South Unit B, Waukesha, also admitted to committing other violations against other children in the past, the sheriff's department said.
Nature of incident
According to the complaint, Knebel told Detective Aaron Hoppe he observed the girl playing computer games in the gymnasium at the church on July 19. Knebel said he told the child people wouldn't want her to use those computers, but she could use the computer in his office.
With the girl in his office, Knebel said in the complaint he put his arm around her and moved his hand up on her body and touched her breast with his thumb for three to four seconds.
According to the complaint, Knebel told the girl to sit on his lap while she was using the computer.
The girl said Knebel forced her to sit on his lap by wrapping his right arm around her stomach and forcefully pulling her onto his lap. She said Knebel pulled so hard it felt like her stomach was going to burst, the complaint says. The girl also said Knebel touched her for 30 seconds.
The girl, who then ran out of the office, told police she felt uncomfortable and scared.
When asked by police why he touched the girl, Knebel replied, "that's the $10 million question."
Knebel said he touched the girl for sexual gratification, according to the complaint, which adds that Knebel also told Hoppe about his struggles with lust, which he believed he would be able to control it.
Knebel also said in the complaint he touched the girl because he knew it would excite him.
Legal proceedings
Knebel is in the custody of the Waukesha County Jail. A cash bond for Knebel has been set at $5,000.
He appeared in court on Monday, July 27, and was ordered to have no contact with the victim, witness, Fox River Christian Church or any of the victim's family members. He is also to have no contact with any children.
A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Sept. 3 at the Waukesha County Courthouse. If convicted, Knebel faces up to 60 years in prison.
According to the sheriff's department, Knebel has since been suspended from the church. Knebel previously served as a congregational care pastor. In this role, he made hospital visits and provided care to grieving families. He also helped families plan funerals and directed the services.
Church responds
Fox River Christian Church released a statement on Monday afternoon on its Facebook page.
"We are very sad and sickened by the events that occurred," the post read. "Child protection is very important to us. All of our employees pass a background check and attend child protection classes.
"We are the ones that reported this to the authorities when we were made aware of the alleged act. We have and will continue to be in full cooperation with the investigation."
According to the complaint, the church's executive pastor, Mark Roberts, called police on July 25 after being made aware of the allegations. Roberts said he met with Knebel on July 21 and Knebel first denied any involvement. Knebel said he was "sick" about the allegations and denied he would ever "do anything like that."
Roberts said Knebel seemed very believable but added the church felt it was necessary to suspend him at that time, the complaint said. Three days later, Knebel met with Roberts again and admitted to the allegations.
"I did what we talked about. I touched (the girl)," Knebel said.
Roberts told Knebel the church would pray for him, the complaint notes.
School bus role
Knebel also worked as a school bus driver for the Waukesha School District from August 2009 to June 2015, the sheriff's department said.
Due to Knebel's role in the community, Esser said the sheriff's department is concerned there may be other victims.
If anyone has information about other incidents, they are asked to call Hoppe at (262) 896-8047.