MADISON — The 52-year-old Albany man who in April led police on an hour-long high speed chase still faces felony reckless endangerment charges in Marathon County, after he was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison on child sex charges.
According to the criminal complaint, Gene B. Schneider had for weeks been communicating online with a person he thought was a 13-year-old girl, but who was actually a Langlade County deputy posing as “Jodie” on social media. The contact began March 16 and continued, evolving into messages that were increasingly sexual in nature including sending a semi-naked photo of himself, police said.
Schneider suggested getting a motel for sex and made arrangements to meet at an Antigo hotel on April 5, police said. When he arrived at the motel, deputies were waiting, and Schneider allegedly fled. Langlade County deputies called off the chase for safety reasons after Schneider nearly caused a head-on collision, police said.
From Langlade County, Schneider crossed into Lincoln County before Marathon County deputies took up the chase, which ended after Kronenwetter police forced Schneider’s vehicle to stop, according to the report.
Schneider was arrested and charged in Langlade County Circuit Court with child enticement, causing a child younger than 13 to view a sex act, using a computer to facilitator a sex crime and fleeing an officer. Those charges were dropped after a federal grand jury indicted Schneider on child solicitation charges.
On Monday, Schneider, who has previous felony convictions for armed robbery and burglary, was sentenced to 15 years in prison followed by 8 years extended supervision on the federal charges.
Court records show Schneider still faces charges in Marathon County Circuit Court connected to the chase. Charges of first degree recklessly endangering safety and fleeing an officer were filed against Schneider on May 2; a status conference is set for Oct. 12.
