October 30, 2015 at 4:07 p.m.
Rhinelander man charged with having sex, smoking pot, with 14-year-old
Rhinelander man charged with having sex, smoking pot, with 14-year-old
Kenneth J. Shoemaker appeared before Branch II Judge Michael Bloom Oct. 27 to answer to charges of sexual assault of a child under 16, a class C felony, and manufacture or deliver THC (distribution to minors), a class I felony with an enhancer that could add up to five years to his sentence upon conviction. Shoemaker has also been charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor, a misdemeanor.
According to the criminal complaint, Shoemaker was interviewed by police Oct. 27.
The complaint states Shoemaker admitted to picking up two underage girls and giving them a ride to a residence on Fetke Lake Road in the town of Newbold. Shoemaker told the detective that the two girls, who he knew, had been drinking and he believed them to be intoxicated, the complaint states.
When the officer advised Shoemaker that the alleged victim had reported smoking marijuana with him, Shoemaker said he had a "blunt" with him but smoked it by himself. He initially denied having sex with the 14-year-old, but eventually admitted to doing so, the complaint states. He told the detective he had a condom with him but "could not remember if he used it because he was high."
"Shoemaker stated he felt guilty about doing this and knew it was wrong to have sex with (the victim)," the complaint states. "Shoemaker also indicated he knew (the victim) was fourteen (14)."
At the initial appearance, Bloom set a $5,000 signature bond with conditions that Shoemaker have no contact with either girl, not enter into any taverns or consume intoxicants.
Shoemaker was given an adjourned initial appearance date of Nov. 9 in order to arrange for a lawyer.
Sexual assault of a child under 16 carries with it a maximum penalty of up to 40 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000, while the THC charge carries a prison sentence of 3 1/2 years, with the possibility of five additional years due to the enhancer, and a fine of up to $10,000. The misdemeanor carries up to a year in the county jail and a fine of up to $10,000.
Jamie Taylor may be reached at [email protected].
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