By Shereen Siewert
An 18-year-old Schofield man who police say beat a 15-year-old boy and left him in the woods near the Wausau School Forest was sentenced Wednesday in multiple cases, including two that involved sexual assaults of children.
Colton Bradberry appeared Nov. 27 before Marathon County Circuit Judge LaMont Jacobson for sentencing in 10 separate cases. As part of a plea agreement, Bradberry was convicted Sept. 6 of first degree sexual assault of a child younger than 13, sexual intercourse with a child 16 or older, child abuse-recklessly causing harm as party to a crime, and two counts of bail jumping. Additional charges were dismissed.
Bradberry was first accused in December 2018 of forcing an 8-year-old boy to rub his genitals, prompting charges of first-degree child sexual assault and intimidation of a victim. While out on bond, police say he sexually assaulted a 16-year-old girl, resulting in charges of second degree sexual assault, sexual intercourse with a child, and four counts of bail jumping
Then in July, Bradberry was arrested again along with three other teens in an alleged armed robbery. Police say the young men picked up the 15-year-old alleged victim before telling him they were planning a robbery to finance a purchase of drugs. The men allegedly drove the boy to the Wausau School Forest and walked into the woods when an argument ensued. That’s when one of the suspects pulled a knife and threatened to kill the boy.
The victim was beaten but was not stabbed, police said. He was left in the woods without a cell phone and walked to nearby CTH KK, where he flagged down a passerby who called 911. The boy was transported to a local hospital and was treated for his injuries.
Three others were charged in connection with the attack: Devin W. Noskowiak, Mitchell Tesch and Curtis Schulz, all of Wausau, who face a range of charges including child abuse and robbery. Their cases have not yet concluded.
After reviewing a presentencing investigative report and a psychological report, Judge Jacobson ordered Bradberry to spend 12 years in prison followed by 12 years extended supervision. He will also have to pay restitution fees and register as a sex offender.
