Hamilton student pleads no contest to sex charges
Daniel Koepke, 17, a former student at Hamilton High School, pleaded no contest in Washington County Circuit Court this morning to causing a child to view sexually explicit content and incest. Charges of sexual abuse of a child and exposing genitals were dismissed.
He was charged in July in connection with an incident involving a 6-year-old relative he was babysitting. Click here for more.
Judge Andrew T. Gonring found Koepke guilty of the two charges. Koepke will be in court for his sentencing at 2:30 p.m. Jan. 24.
Koepke is now considered a convicted felon and could face up to $25,000 and 12 1/2 years in prison under the causing a child to view sexually explicit content charge, and $100,000 and 40 years in prison under the incest charge.
"The court recognizes that there is some disagreement regarding who initiated the removal of clothes," Gonring said, to audible gasps from members of the victim's family, who were in court.
Gonring also said that the criminal complaint and Koepke's July statements would be considered in sentencing, and no new evidence was expected to be considered.
"I don't want the state to come into sentencing and say they found something different," Gonring said.
He added that regardless of what the attorneys for both sides recommend, he will make his own determination in sentencing.
Koepke's no-contest plea means a guilty plea cannot be used against him in the event the victim's family pursues civil litigation.
E-mail Newsletter
Top stories from the Lake Country area. Tuesday afternoons and Thursday mornings.
Enter your e-mail address above and click "Sign Up Now!" to begin receiving your e-mail newsletter
Get the Newsletter!
» AHS, KM golfers move to sectionals
» Prairie View holds benefit bake sale tonight
» DNR board approves acquisition along Oconomowoc River
» Zion collects items for Oklahoma families
» Brick sale supports Veteran Park improvements
» Mukwonago children will have new park this summer
» KM girls win softball opener
» Board approves relocatable units
» Weiss, Hawks win softball opener
» Big Bend businesses battle construction
» Pewaukee Ski Club announces clean water donation
» Farmer's Market vouchers for Seniors
» Pewaukee priest resigns over relationship with woman
» St. John's Military Academy student leaves country after sexual assault
MORE: See full gallery
SUBMIT: Post Your Photos now
Do you have news or a nonprofit event that you would like to share with the community? Whether it's a community organization, a business, a local school, or a notable neighbor, we'd love to hear about it.
- MainStage Dancers Perform at OAC May 26th
- FREE Organic Lawn Care Workshops This Saturday!
- Little Treasures Launches Summer Camp June 10-August 30th, 2013
- Hamilton announces April students of the month
- Learn to skate
- Christ the King Church Announces Vacation Bible School Schedule
- Birth to 3 Walk on June 1st Frame Park
- Waukesha County HeartChase is June 22
MORE: See the rest of Your Stories
SUBMIT: Post Your Story now
Lake Country residents share their views on news, happenings and current events.
LivingLakeCountry.com features more than a dozen community bloggers - a group of volunteer conversation leaders who are up on the latest topics and never short on an opinion. Just a few are pictured here. Check out the rest and see what they have to say!
View All Blogs
Discussion Guidelines
Do you want to become a Community Blogger? LivingLakeCountry.com welcomes your thoughts and opinions. Contact us for more information:
I want to blog
Information on Mukwonago Publications
Find metroparent locations
