October 07, 2005

Sex crimes suspect had extensive contact with kids

WISCONSIN
GM Today

By AL DUNN - GM Today Staff
October 7, 2005

Russell Roelke, a 45-year-old West Bend youth ministry director charged with four counts of child sex crimes, has been involved in a plethora of other youth service activities over the years, including as a Boy Scout leader, a Big Brother and a teaching assistant in the Brown Deer School District, according to a Washington County assistant district attorney.

Roelke, the youth ministry director at Fifth Avenue Methodist Church in West Bend, appeared before Washington County Circuit Court Judge Annette Ziegler on Wednesday to face charges of child enticement, use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime, exposing a child to harmful material and possession of child pornography.

In arguing for a large cash bond, Assistant District Attorney Holly Bunch said Roelke posed a "substantial flight risk" not only because of the serious nature of the crimes, but the enormity of prison time he faces if convicted.

"There is enough incentive for him to flee," she told Ziegler.

Posted by kshaw at October 7, 2005 08:18 AM