WASHBURN COUNTY -- Charges of child sexual assault have been filed against Robert Harkreader, who is a registered sex offender, following an investigation by the Washburn County Sheriff’s Office.
A criminal complaint filed on February 11, 2022, states that on January 25, 2022, the Washburn County Sheriff’s Office received information alleging that Robert Harkreader had sexually assaulted a child under the age of 13.
The criminal complaint states that Harkeader allegedly sexually assaulted the child multiple times between January and June 2018. The criminal complaint contains details of the assaults that are too graphic to include in this post.
An Investigator for the Washburn County Sheriff’s Office conducted a records check on Harkreader and determined that Harkreader is a registered sex offender for a 2004 court case in which he was convicted of 1st Degree Sexual Assault of a Child in Douglas County Circuit Court. The Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry indicates that Harkreader is required to register as a sex offender for life.
The Investigator then spoke with a Wisconsin DOC Sex Offender Registry Specialist who was able to confirm Harkreader’s current address. The specialist advised that Mr. Harkreader had completed his probation on 10/27/2019 and had moved addresses a few times while on probation.
A forensic interview was conducted with the child alleged to be the victim of sexual assault by Harkreader. The results of that interview confirmed the information initially provided to law enforcement.
Harkreader is charged with Class B Felony 1st Degree Child Sexual Assault - Sexual Contact With A Child Under Age 13.
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Online circuit court records show that Harkreader appeared for a bail bond hearing on February 3, 2022. Washburn County Assistant District Attorney Sheila Yohnk requested that the Court order a $25,000 cash bond. Defense Counsel representing Harkreader at the hearing argued that $500 cash was sufficient. The Court ordered a $10,000 cash bond with conditions that Harkreader be prohibited from having any contact with minor children. Bond was posted for Harkreader on February 4, 2022.
Harkreader appeared on February 14, 2022, for an initial appearance regarding his new criminal charges. The Court ordered that the bond should continue and Harkreader is scheduled to appear again in March 2022 for a preliminary examination hearing.
Related: Washburn County Weekly Jail Bookings Report
Pursuant to the direction of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicly, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
Last Update: Feb 16, 2022 6:00 pm CST
