Bennet Schmitz
MILWAUKEE, WI (WSAU) — A former Greenheck Turner Community Center employee accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a minor has reached a plea deal.
Court records show Bennet Schmitz will have a plea and sentencing hearing for felony counts, including child enticement and sexual assault of a student by school staff. The accusations occurred while Schmitz was working in the Greenfield School District.
According to a joint release from the Greenfield School District and Police Department, a student “shared concerns with a trusted school staff member who promptly reported the matter,” though specifics were not released.
Schmitz served as an assistant track coach in Greenfield and was not a licensed educator. The plea and sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 16th, when he will face more than 50 years in prison on the current list of charges.
Officials emphasized that the accusations did not involve a D.C. Everest student and that Schmitz passed all criminal background checks before he was hired as recreation coordinator for the Community Center. He also did not serve as a licensed educator for the district.
As soon as management at the GTCC was notified of the charges, they deactivated Schmitz’s key cards and electronics and placed him on leave with specific instructions to stay off district property, according to Superintendent Casey Nye.
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