A Milwaukee high school teacher faces multiple charges of sexual misconduct, as allegations of inappropriate relationships with student athletes have come to light. Erica Allemang-Reinke, 40, a teacher at Rufus King High School, has been charged with four felony counts relating to these accusations. The investigation, which covers incidents reported throughout the 2024-25 school year, began after students approached a school resource officer with their concerns about Allemang-Reinke's behavior, which is alleged to have included sending explicit text messages and engaging in unwanted physical contact.
According to FOX6 News, some of the reported inappropriate behavior from Allemang-Reinke included pressure to share students' location on their phones, providing gifts, and offering to perform sexual acts. Witnesses described instances of the teacher forcing hugs and touching students on their legs, and thighs. The conduct is reported to have dated back to the beginning of the school year. Meanwhile, WISN report that Allemang-Reinke had sent hundreds of dollars to multiple students via Cash App as well as late-night text messages about sexual dreams. In a statement obtained by WISN, one student characterized their experience, saying "The defendant abused us not physically but mentally overpowering our brains, manipulating situations for her comfort and her needs."
In a yet related case, another Milwaukee family has sued Milwaukee Public Schools and administrators at Andrew Douglas Middle School. Their lawsuit alleges that the school district and its officials knew about but failed to stop or report sexual misconduct between another teacher and his student back in 2022. The accused teacher, social studies teacher Lonnie Steele, has since been convicted and is serving time in state prison for child enticement. Detailed by TMJ4, the lawsuit claims that Steele groomed a sixth-grade student during his tenure at the middle school.
The charges against Allemang-Reinke carry severe penalties; each count may result in up to three years and six months in prison, and a $10,000 fine. The reports emerging from Milwaukee's education system have sparked concerns among parents, educators, and, the public about the wellbeing and safety of students in schools.
