Arraignment for accused Pastor postponed

Scheil’s defense requests change of judges

By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer

An arraignment scheduled for a Twin Lakes pastor bound over for trial on child enticement charges in Oshkosh was postponed Monday, after Rev. Josh Scheil’s defense requested a change of judges, according to a Winnebago County Court Official.

Josh Scheil
Josh Scheil

Vickie Belkye, a Court Reporter for Winnebago County Circuit Court Judge Barbara Key, stated a new date has not been determined.

“The defense wanted a new judge,” she said. “It is a process and we are just waiting on a new judge before a date is set.”

The defense strategy is the latest maneuver after Scheil’s attorney sought dismissal of all charges in a motion hearing earlier this month.

According to online court records, Greg Petit serves as Scheil’s defense attorney.

Scheil faces charges of child enticement, using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime and causing a child under 13 to view sexual activity, all felonies.

If convicted, Scheil faces maximum imprisonment of 71 years.

Scheil, who was pastor of Hope Lutheran Church at the time, was arrested on allegations he planned to meet a 13-year-old girl for a sexual encounter in Oshkosh April 12, according to the criminal complaint against him.

Scheil, 28, was in Oshkosh attending a pastors’ conference titled “Old Witness SWD, Confessing Christ for the Next Generation” at Best Western Waterfront Hotel, according to the criminal complaint.

At a hearing April 18, Scheil was held on $10,000 bond and, according to online court records, he is currently staying at an Oshkosh extended stay hotel.

Scheil’s arrest stemmed from an undercover child enticement operation by the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Internet Crimes Division, which allegedly received an instant message from a “27-year-old white male from Wisconsin” identified as “Rev” March 1, according to the criminal complaint.

After the crime analyst identified himself as a 13-year-old female from Oshkosh, both parties agreed to continue the conversation on KiK Messenger, the complaint stated.

The analyst repeatedly identified himself as a 13-year-old female, the complaint added.

Leading up to his arrest, Scheil allegedly sent sexually explicit comments and images on multiple occasions, and told the analyst posing as a girl named “Maddy” that he will be in Oshkosh from April 11-13.

On April 12, he allegedly arranged a meeting with the undercover agent at Asylum Point Park, but was apprehensive, the complaint said.

“I want to make sure this isn’t some kind of sting,” Scheil allegedly said through the messenger app.

However, the complaint said he eventually met with the analyst and was resistant during the arrest.

Scheil’s wife has since filed for divorce in Kenosha County Family Court, according to online records.


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