NEWS

Ex-deputy gets prison for child sex assault

Chris Mueller
USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin

WAUSAU - A former Lincoln County Sheriff's deputy who sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl while he was still a police officer was sentenced Tuesday to five years behind bars on a related charge.

Zachary Dorr, 35, of Nekoosa, was charged after an investigation that began when he brought the girl to a wedding reception of two other deputies, according to a criminal complaint. Dorr was seen kissing the girl and giving her alcohol.

When confronted with the accusations, Dorr told his coworkers he attended the wedding with a 21-year-old woman who looked like the 15-year-old girl, the complaint said. The girl later told police she went to the wedding with Dorr.

The girl told police she met Dorr at a barbecue in their neighborhood in May and the two exchanged phone numbers and began to communicate on Facebook, the complaint said. The girl admitted the two exchanged nude photos, but denied ever having sex.

Dorr pleaded guilty in Marathon County Circuit Court to second-degree sexual assault of a child in December; he resigned his position as deputy after charges were filed.

Dorr, who was dressed in an orange jail uniform during the hearing, spoke in court before he was sentenced.

“I failed as a man. I failed as an adult,” he said. “From the very start, I should have gotten out of that situation and I didn’t.”

Dorr told Judge Greg Grau that he was having a rough time when the assault happened, but that he still took full responsibility for his actions. Dorr commended his former coworkers for investigating him.

“They did the right thing,” he said.

Dorr also took the time to apologize to the victim and her family.

“I just feel like sorry isn’t enough,” he said.

Grau sentenced Dorr to five years of initial confinement, followed by six years of extended supervision. He also ordered Dorr to have no contact with the victim or her family once he is released on extended supervision.

Grau told Dorr he was concerned by the way Dorr quickly developed and acted on a plan to have sex with the girl.

"The only reason that was the end of your plan was because your coworkers intervened," he said. "You did not end this plan. They did."

Marathon County Assistant District Attorney Theresa Wetzsteon asked Grau to consider in his sentence the position of trust that Dorr held when he committed the offense.

“He used that trust — a trust pretty much like no other — to have access to this child,” she said.

Wetzsteon described Dorr as “someone who thought they were above the law,” given his actions in the case.

Dorr’s defense attorney, Richard Lawson, reminded the judge that Dorr was not on duty when he met the victim or when the sexual assault occurred.

“This was a stupid and spontaneous mistake,” he said.

Dorr hung his head as the judge left the courtroom after the sentencing. He was led out by a police officer a few moments later.

Chris Mueller can be reached at 715-345-2251 and christopher.mueller@gannettwisconsin.com. Follow him on Twitter as @AtChrisMueller.