Former pastor sentenced to two years

Scheil, 29, arrested in Oshkosh April 12

By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer

A former Twin Lakes pastor who planned to meet a 13-year-old girl for a sexual encounter in Oshkosh was sentenced to two years behind bars in Winnebago County Circuit Court Sept. 29.

Josh Scheil
Josh Scheil

Rev. Joshua Scheil, 29, previously of Hope Lutheran Church, also received three years extended supervision and 15 years probation stemming from a series of events that began in March, according to online court records.

Since his arrest, Hope Lutheran Church along with Missouri Synod websites have removed his name from their online directories.

Scheil, convicted of felony child enticement and causing a child 13-18 to view sexual activity, originally faced maximum imprisonment of 71 years.

The use of a computer to facilitate a sex crime charge was dismissed at an August hearing.

Scheil, who was in Oshkosh attending a pastor’s conference, allegedly set up a sexual encounter with a 13-year-old, known as Maddy, using mobile phone messaging March 1.

However, the 13-year-old was a crime analyst with the Winnebago County Sheriff’s Internet Crimes Division, who repeatedly identified himself as a 13-year-old girl in all dialogues, according to a criminal complaint.

After the first contact March 1, both parties agreed to continue the conversation on KiK Messenger – a mobile phone application, the complaint alleges.

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

On April 12, Scheil was arrested at Asylum Point when he allegedly set up a meeting with the analyst.

Since Scheil’s arrest, the former Trevor resident changed addresses to Menasha while his wife has filed for divorce in Kenosha County Family Court.

According to the Oshkosh Northwestern newspaper, Scheil emerged remorseful and regretful at his sentencing hearing.

“I’ve lost most everything important to me. I’ve lost my wife. I’ve lost a career that was important to me. I’ve lost all of my friends. … Those 11 days (in jail) were absolute hell for me,” Scheil is quoted as saying.


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