MANITOWOC – Robert L. Curtis, 37, was sentenced to five years in state prison after being convicted of two felony counts of child enticement-sexual contact and one felony count of possession of child pornography.
Curtis was arrested May 16, 2023, after a joint investigation between the Manitowoc Police Department and the Sheboygan County Health and Human Services Department.
The investigation began after a 9-year-old child reported they were sexually assaulted by Curtis since they were 6 years old.
According to the criminal complaint, the child described several incidents during which Curtis would have them changing clothes in front of him or when he would touch their genitals with his fingers.
They also said he would buy them new underwear or swimsuits, have them wear it for a few hours and then give it back to him. They said they never needed new clothes and were never allowed to keep them.
In a search warrant at Curtis’ residence, police found more than 500 files of child pornography, the complaint said.
Curtis denied touching the child or watching them change clothes to police, but the complaint noted he mentioned being accused of touching the child even though that hadn’t yet been discussed with him by the police in the interview.
He was initially charged with 12 felony charges that included repeated sexual assault of the same child, child enticement-sexual contact, possession of child pornography and first-degree child sex assault.
All charges, except one charge of child pornography and two charges of child enticement-sexual contact, were dismissed in a plea deal.
Curtis was sentenced to five years in state prison followed by five years of extended supervision in a sentencing hearing July 3. Conditions of the extended supervision include counseling, a psychosexual evaluation, no contact with the victim and to comply with the sex offender registry.
Curtis was represented by attorney Michael Turner. His case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Angelina Scarpelli and presided over by Judge Robert Dewane.
Alisa M. Schafer is a reporter for the Herald Times Reporter in Manitowoc. She can be reached by email at aschafer@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Manitowoc man sentenced to 5 years in state prison for child enticement, child porn charges
Reporting by Alisa M. Schafer, Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter / Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter
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