Former Mishicot Middle/High School teacher and track coach Ryan S. Schroeder was sentenced on June 16 to 336 months in prison after being convicted of producing child pornography, according to a June 17 announcement by Brad D. Schimel, First Assistant United States Attorney of the Eastern District of Wisconsin.
Court documents and arguments presented indicated that Schroeder sexually assaulted a minor student over approximately two years, beginning when the victim was in eighth grade. He later abused a second student, who was then 13 years old and reported the abuse to the school district. Law enforcement found images sent by Schroeder to both minors on his cell phone, and he ultimately pled guilty to creating a video involving one of the victims with sexually explicit conduct.
United States District Judge Byron B. Conway described Schroeder’s actions as “so much more than the production of child pornography,” calling him “a family man who was living a fraud” and “a mentor who became a predator.” Conway said that an extended sentence was appropriate due to Schroeder’s dual role as teacher and coach giving him greater access to victims. After serving his prison term, Schroeder will be under supervised release for life and must register as a sex offender under state and federal law.
“This defendant stole the innocence of these children and deserved the very lengthy prison sentence he received,” said Schimel. “He abused the position of trust given him by the school, parents and society as a whole. The team from the investigators to the prosecutors did an outstanding job bringing this defendant to justice.” Manitowoc County Sheriff Daniel Hartwig said, “This sentence reflects the seriousness of the crimes committed and the lasting impact they have had on the victims and their families… Investigations involving exploitation of children are among the most difficult cases law enforcement encounters.”
Mishicot Police Chief Paul Granger stated, “This investigation began within our community and serves as a reminder that child exploitation can occur anywhere, even in places where families expect their children to be safest… Today’s sentence sends a clear message that individuals who use positions of trust… will be identified, investigated, and held fully accountable.”
The case involved investigations by Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office and Mishicot Police Department, with assistance from Manitowoc County District Attorney’s Office; prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorneys Daniel R. Humble and Timothy W. Funnell. The case is part of Project Safe Childhood—an initiative launched in May 2006 by U.S. Department of Justice—to combat child sexual exploitation online through coordinated efforts among federal, state, and local resources.
The U.S. Attorney for Eastern District of Wisconsin is part of U.S Department of Justice serving Eastern Wisconsin communities through public safety efforts alongside law enforcement partners, according to its official website.