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More sexual assault charges for ex-deputy

Daily Press file photo Former Memominee County Sheriff’s Department deputy Brian William Helfert, left, is shown at a previous court appearance.

MENOMINEE — A former Memominee County Sheriff’s Department deputy is facing additional sexual assault charges.

Brian William Helfert, 57, of Menominee, was arraigned before Judge Robert J. Jamo in the 95-A District Court, Menominee, on April 30 following his recent arrest on an 11-count felony complaint. Menominee County Prosecuting Attorney Jeffrey T. Rogg charged Helfert with Child Sexually Abusive Activity, four counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct–First Degree, three counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct–Third Degree, Assault with Intent to Commit Penetration, Gross Indecency Between Males and filed a Sexually Delinquent Person Notice.

An investigation by the Menominee Police Department (MPD) led to Helfert’s arrest.

Prosecutor Rogg will be personally handling the case and is not seeking the appointment of a special prosecutor.”

A request for the appointment of a special prosecutor must rely on more than a mere claim that someone might question whether a prosecutor should be disqualified. I am confident that I possess the impartiality, ability, expertise and other resources necessary to fairly prosecute the case through to its conclusion, including any interlocutory or post-conviction appeals,” said Rogg.

The charges arise from a number of incidents alleged to have occurred between April, 2013 and December, 2019. The felony complaint alleges a six-year history of sexual assault and abuse of the victim at the hands of Helfert. The victim reported to police that he felt compelled to come forward at this time when he learned of Helfert’s plea and sentencing in another case in the 41st Circuit Court, in 2020.

In that case, Helfert was sentenced to five years probation and six months in jail for the attempted accosting for immoral purposes of a 15-year-old boy.

Helfert was a long-time deputy at the Menominee County Sherif’s Department and provided services to Menominee Area Public Schools as a Menominee County school liaison deputy

Rogg invited other potential victims to come forward, saying that “every allegation against Mr. Helfert will be fully investigated by the MPD and can still be prosecuted by me.”

Helfert has retained attorney Trenton M. Stupak, of Escanaba, to represent him. Judge Jamo scheduled a probable cause conference in the case for May 14 at 8 a.m. A preliminary examination is scheduled for May 21 at 8:30 a.m. Bond was established by Judge Jamo in the amount of $250,000.00, cash or surety.

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