New sexual misconduct law used to prosecute former Kewaskum officer
KENOSHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A new law in Wisconsin is putting potential predators in our schools on alert. Governor Evers signed the bi-partisan measure in March making sexual misconduct between teacher and student a felony, and it's already being put to use.
It was a loophole in Wisconsin law that's now been closed, thanks in part, to a woman who wouldn't give up, and the lawmakers who supported her every step of the way.
"Some of the best ideas for legislation come from our constituents," said State Rep. Tod Ohnstad.
CBS 58 asked, "Is grooming something that wasn't happening in the past or is this something that just was falling through the cracks here in Wisconsin?"
Rep. Ohnstad of the 65th District, Kenosha said, "Oh, I think this was falling through the cracks."
Nearly two years ago, Kenosha representatives Tod Ohnstad and Tip McGuire met Kerri Pingel for the first time.
"Personally, I know the pain of what I experienced and the trauma that that created for me," said Pingel, Act 200 Advocate.
Pingel experienced trauma as a student at a private school and sought justice but found there wasn't a law in Wisconsin that criminalized educator sexual misconduct.
"There was also a second trauma of going and taking this to authorities and being told by each person I brought it to that they couldn't help me and so I don't necessarily get to prevent or stop this from happening to somebody, but I do, they do now get to have a chance at justice which I think is healing in itself," said Pingel.
Her state representatives from Kenosha are credited with pushing grooming legislation forward.
"It would one, it would give them a criminal history of this. Two, it would make sure that they could have their license revoked, their license to teach in a public school revoked for their entire lifetime," said State Rep. McGuire.
"You know previously there would have had to have been some actual physical sexual activity in order for it to be a felony," said State Rep. Ohnstad.
The new law is already being put to use in Kewaskum. Prosecutors allege what started as a student eating lunch with her school resourced officer, Steven Rosales, extended to frequent messaging that eventually became sexual.
Weeks after Governor Evers signed the educator sexual misconduct law, Act 200, making it a felony for a teacher, staff member or volunteer to engage in inappropriate behavior with a student, even if it's not physical. Rosales faces this felony charge.
"I am pleased to see that he can be held accountable within our criminal justice system for actions that would severely traumatize any child," said State Rep. McGuire.