A former Mishicot Middle/High School teacher and track coach, Ryan S. Schroeder, 39, is headed to federal prison for 336 months, or 28 years, after being convicted of producing child pornography involving his own students. When he eventually gets out, he will remain under lifetime supervised release and must register as a sex offender under both state and federal law.
Judge Blasts ‘Family Man Living A Fraud’
United States District Judge Byron B. Conway delivered the sentence and described Schroeder as “a family man who was living a fraud,” calling the crimes “so much more than the production of child pornography,” according to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Wisconsin. Judge Conway pointed to Schroeder’s trusted dual role as teacher and coach as a key reason he was able to gain access to victims, a factor the court cited in justifying the lengthy prison term.
How The Abuse Came To Light
According to local reporting and court records, the abuse began around August 2023, when one victim was 14, and continued for roughly two years. Schroeder admitted to sexual contact with the same girl more than 50 times, with more than ten of those encounters taking place inside Mishicot High School, as reported by WBAY. A separate 13-year-old student later reported inappropriate conduct to the school district, which triggered the criminal investigation.
Federal Plea And Evidence
In federal court, Schroeder pleaded guilty to producing child pornography for creating a video of one sexual encounter. A second federal count was dismissed as part of the case resolution, according to NBC 26. Prosecutors said investigators also recovered explicit photos and videos from Schroeder’s phone that had been sent to minors.
Investigation, Prosecution And Reaction
The case was pursued under Project Safe Childhood and investigated by the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office and the Mishicot Police Department, with help from the Manitowoc County District Attorney’s Office, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Wisconsin. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad Schimel praised the investigative work and said Schroeder “stole the innocence of these children,” while local officials expressed hope that the federal outcome would offer some measure of closure for the victims and their families.
What’s Next
Schroeder still faces a separate set of state charges. Local reporting indicates he pleaded guilty in state court to one count of repeated sexual assault and is waiting for a separate state sentencing, according to WBAY. Federal and state sentences may ultimately run concurrently, and victim-assistance services are being provided through the court system.
Legal Note
Production of child pornography is prosecuted under federal law at Title 18, U.S.C. §2251(a), which carries severe penalties and post-release supervision requirements. The statute and its sentencing framework are detailed in federal law; for reference, see Title 18, U.S.C. §2251.
Regional coverage has tracked the case from its early stages through sentencing, including reporting by the Tampa Free Press. Authorities continue to urge anyone with additional information to contact the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office.
