Woodside Parents Alerted That Sexual Assault Suspect Lives Nearby

Concerned Citizen November 8, 2012 at 06:49 pm

If you request the public record police report, this is what you would find out: he sexually molested a five year old child. He sodemized her and ejaculated on her. Facts that Daniel Koepke admitted to law enforcement and to the victim's family. In September, The school was notified of the incident, including the public court record stating the charges, by a citizen and apparently the school took no action. Also given Daniel's actions, it appears to professionals, that this child was not his first victim, however no one else has been brave enough to come forward. Yes, you should be worried about your children, because if Daniel Koepke, has the opportunity, he will do it again. He is a Sexual Predator and has no self control!

DJ November 8, 2012 at 07:27 pm

Well said Sarah. I am completely on board with you. This conversation is proof that a little information to some people, can be dangerous.
Too many people jump to conclusions without all the facts. The damage is already done. Nothing can change that. I too pray for the families that are directly involved and can find peace. This young man is under a microscope right now, I don't see him as a threat. It seems our community has already hung him. It's the unknown sexual predators that concern me. As a parent of 3 girls, predators have been constant concern of mine. Its important not only to teach them right from wrong, but also how to defend themselves, at ANY age!

J November 8, 2012 at 08:16 pm

Dan Koepke (the offender) lives right down the street from us. And his back yard actually shares a property line with Woodside Elementary. He was a frequent babysitter for kids in our neighborhood. No one ever alerted the families. They first heard about this was on Mark Belling's talk show.
We were never notified that this happened until this past Tuesday, when our daughter who attends Woodside Elementary, brought a letter home from school. And that letter was very vague... it didn't mention the offender's name, that a sex crime was involved, or that he lived in our subdivision. (it just said "nearby") We have not received any "robo calls" and this sick-o lives only doors away from us. He can sit in his back yard and watch the kids on the Woodside elementary playground. (his truck is in their drive way). Disgusting.

J November 8, 2012 at 08:19 pm

Sarah = he admitted to the offense. He's guilty.

Jennifer November 8, 2012 at 09:02 pm

How can you request a public record police report?

Lori November 8, 2012 at 09:24 pm

If the school was notified in September and took no action till November there is a huge problem.
@DJ - It's only "little information" if you choose to read only a little information. The report is out there, and he admitted to his offense. If you don't see him as a threat, I'll pray for your kids, that they don't run into him. He does need help, but he's still out there, in your back yard.

Jaime Lannister November 9, 2012 at 12:12 am

Was he waved into adult court, or why is his name all over the news for charges while he is still a minor?

DT November 9, 2012 at 01:18 am

WHY did the courts not alert the area in which this Daniel Koepke lives? I live very close to the home of this individual, my children and their grandmother visited this home in September for a Rummage Sale. My children could've been exposed to him. Whats worse are all the children IN that subdivision that have been exposed from JULY to NOVEMBER when all of this FINALLY came out! It makes me sick to think of all the children that could've and may have been harmed by this individual! More should have been done to protect the children near him and instead nothing was done until 4 months later! Why?

Patty November 9, 2012 at 01:40 am

DJ, how do you expect a five year old defend herself? Many adult woman live with an abusive husband and don't defend themselves. I agree that we need to educate our children, but we also need to protect our children. That is exactly what we plan on doing if this kid comes north of Plainview.

Anonymous November 9, 2012 at 02:47 am

Okay seriously? Yes he did something wrong. Does that give you all the right to rip on schools and EVERYTHING that was in his life? Hamilton High School is a GREAT school and would have notified everyone had the police informed them sooner. It was not their fault nor do they promote this type of behavior. Daniel, while he mad a terrible decision, was an outstanding guy with a bright future and was very intelligent. I don't understand why he did this but he admitted to doing it at least and is going to take his punishment. It's not like he purposely "Searched out little kids". It was a brief moment and you all need to stop ripping on his family as well as the school. His family, although i've never met them, is more then likely a wonderful family that can't believe he did this either so leave them alone.

Recent HHS Student November 9, 2012 at 02:52 am

Hey, i graduated HHS last year and knew Dan quite well. He was a good student, on the robotics team, very involved. A very nice kid. You all need to stop bashing on him like he's scum. I am in NO way saying that what he did is in the least way excusable but what i am saying is that people make mistakes. And none of you have any right to make assumptions of his life choices, past or present. Also, the school informed all of the parents as soon as they were informed. Dan was charged in Washington County so news did not travel which is ridiculous but that is what happened. I traveled with him to Minneapolis and St. Louis and never got the vibe he was a bad guy. I, unlike all of you, knew him personally and am deeply saddened that this happened but we all make mistakes and no one really knows any reason as to why he did it. When i was a freshman, i was sexually assaulted. The guy lived in almost the same neighborhood as Dan. You didn't hear about that, did you? More was done this time to warn everyone than back then. Just thought I'd be the voice of reason here.

sarah November 9, 2012 at 02:54 am

Well said Anonymous ...

Karen November 9, 2012 at 04:40 am

Jennifer I agree, its a horrible offense. However, think for a second..What if it was my son who had done this? Its heartbreaking for what he is putting his entire family through. I just cried. I hope that 6 yr old girl will get some help and be able to grow up and have good up bringing from here on out!

B November 9, 2012 at 08:23 pm

Anonymous, DJ, Sarah. While we live in a country of innocent until proven guilty and Dan may have given off a "good guy vibe" the reality is that he has admitted to doing something that is absolutely unacceptable. Not to mention, I can think of a lot of people that gave off a good guy vibe while being the opposite (Gacy, Dahmer should ring a bell here in WI). While a ton of blame really needs to go to the county DA that did not properly disclose information, the families that live close have a right to be upset. There is a big difference between making a "mistake" and sexually assaulting a 6 year old. Moreover using his position as a trusted family member and babysitter to his advantage. I wish the VICTIMS family the best in recovering from something that will damage the rest of their lives. I hope that Daniels family can recover from this as they as well have a tough road to recovery. But when it comes to the admitted perpetrator of this crime, he deserves whatever punishment he gets from the courts and public opinion.

DT November 9, 2012 at 08:45 pm

It makes me sick to think he was a babysitter to other kids! To Anonymous, DJ and Sarah, if you want to take the road of innocent when he ADMITTED he did it, I dare you to ask him to babysit your kids!

sarah November 9, 2012 at 09:45 pm

DT - You are putting words in my mouth I was not taking the road that he is innocent - obviously a crime was committed. I am saying that let the court system do its job - and if they don't do the job you want then protest the court system - go be present if you feel so strongly - be a voice. I am clearly saying that it is not appropriate to attack his family, nor his brother and saying garbage when none of us were there. And DT my daughter was sexually assaulted by a young man in the community and attempted suicide. I and my family have all gone through a lot of therapy and meetings with our pastor due to the assault and it has taken a lot for me to come to grips with the young man that did it. And yes this young man is from Sussex. It has taken me forever to gain restraint. I have learned that hatred will get me nowhere and forgiveness is the key and that the young man that hurt my daughter needed help and my prayers. And if you don't think there wasn't a point I wanted to personally kill the young man that hurt my daughter think again. But I knew justice would be served. By speaking out more, my daughter received hate mail and all sorts of rumors were spinning - when she was the victim. My whole point in posting was the person way above was giving off false information and that needed to be nipped in the bud. False information can be horrific to a family that already is suffering.

sarah November 9, 2012 at 09:47 pm

Check out the app for convicted sexual offenders in Sussex - we do have quite a few - and they are mostly around Main Street and Maple Avenue. The ratio has gone down quite a bit because a lot of them have moved. I would love to see an "app" for drunk drivers, domestic abusers, animal abusers and speeders that speed over 15 mph - because these people too can create victims and financial/emotional distress. Think for once if your child does something horrific - a sexual crime or a homicide by intoxication or hurts someone in their car. You will suffer the same emotions as losing a loved one. That child that did the crime is still your child. My point is have an ounce of empathy for all parties that are involved. This young man will be punished.

sarah November 9, 2012 at 09:53 pm

Agreed - but suddenly in a few of the posts and comments being made in the community false information was spreading. If you want to be proactive in this case just let the court system handle it - if you are still angry and super concerned begin letter writing - do what you need to do as a concerned citizen. Don't spread false information. That is my whole point. This family (both sides) is going to need a lot of healing, prayers and counseling. And I agree he deserves what ever punishment is handed down by the courts.

DT November 9, 2012 at 10:09 pm

The Family of the Accused Held a RUMMAGE SALE selling all sorts of kids stuff. The accused was on the grounds around people and children during the sale. They may be hurting but they sure arn't protecting others that visit their home when NO ONE had a clue. If my child were to do something of this nature, I sure as heck would not be inviting the world to my doorstep!

sarah November 10, 2012 at 12:58 am

Agreed that would not be the appropriate thing to do.

Lori November 10, 2012 at 03:52 pm

By the way, when I made this comment a few days ago, I DID NOT insert a link to "check your credit score" and don't appreciate it! Patch is going downhill

Jim Price (Editor) November 10, 2012 at 09:38 pm

Since 1995, when the law was changed, all 17-year-olds have been treated as adults in the Wisconsin Criminal Justice System.

David November 13, 2012 at 12:54 am

Oh boy are you wrong. People like you spread lies and rumors, please do not post information that is not true. Ignorant people like you ruin families like mine. One mistake does not define him as something he is not for the rest of his life.

David November 13, 2012 at 12:56 am

Thank you for this, and yes the teasing was bad. It's getting better now but you can never tell what people think of you.

Frank November 15, 2012 at 03:43 pm

David time for a realality check. Dont blame others fo ruining your family, blame the person who did this to a five year old. To minimalize what he did by calling it a mistake is ignorance! He made a choice. He chose todo this terrible thing when he knew it was wrong. He chose to lie to the police, because he knew
what he did was wrong. You say this should not affect the rest of HIS liife? What about the life of the little girl. She didnt have a choice, did she? Shame on you!!!

Elaine November 17, 2012 at 12:44 am

Check out the latest articles in the Patch and Living Lake Country (links below)– Daniel plead “no contest” to two of his felony charges, but the judge dismissed the other two because:
"The court recognizes that there is some disagreement regarding who initiated the removal of clothes," Gonring said, to audible gasps from members of the victim's family, who were in court." The victim was 5 years old. How in the world can a judge throw out two of the felony charges on that basis?! I know a number of families in Daniel’s neighborhood and they are praying that he’s removed from society for a long time. And if hat doesn’t happen, they’re hoping that the family moves far away from Woodside Elementary. Honestly… how could they not move? Whether it's right or not, this event is what everyone thinks of when they see them. http://sussex.patch.com/articles/sussex-teenager-pleads-no-contest-in-alleged-sexual-assault http://www.livinglakecountry.com/sussexsun/179490021.html

DT November 17, 2012 at 01:09 am

Thank you Frank! Well Said!

DT November 17, 2012 at 01:15 am

There are no words for what the Judge has done. I can't believe that they would even fathom a 5 year old initiating what happened. I have a 5 year old who does not like to keep his clothes on (most 5 year olds don't) , does that mean my child initiated an incident where a teenager should take sexual advantage of them when that teenager is in a position of authority (babysitting)??? Horrible Horrible judgement on part of the judge! I pray for the innocent child and the family that will have to endure years of untrust in individuals as a whole. :(

J November 20, 2012 at 02:26 pm

I live in Majestic Heights. And every day I hope that Daniel is not only removed from our neighborhood (and never to return) but I hope he is kept away from all children.
Child sex predators are monsters.

Craig February 15, 2013 at 08:54 pm

It was more than ONE MISTAKE...he is beck in the news with new charges. Fox 6 has the story.