18-year-old charged with enticing, assaulting younger teen

An 18-year-old Rhinelander man has been charged with child enticement and second degree sexual assault of a child under the age of 16, both felonies.

According to a criminal complaint filed Jan. 8, Sawyer R. Schmidt is accused of sending explicit photos to a 14-year-old and taking the youth to a secluded area where the victim alleges there was nonconsensual sexual activity.

After returning home, the teen reported the alleged assault to a parent.

The two then traveled together to the area where the child claimed the assault occurred and retrieved a used condom and napkin. 

Both items were turned over to police, the complaint states.

Schmidt made his initial appearance in Oneida County Circuit Court Monday afternoon at which time Judge Mike Schiek set a $5,000 signature bond with conditions that the defendant have no contact whatsoever with the alleged victim, family members of the alleged victim, or their residence.

A preliminary hearing was scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Feb. 14.

If convicted of both felonies, Schmidt faces up to 65 years in prison.