WISN: Whitnall Food Services Director Charged in Child Sex Predator Sting
James Heidke could face up to 40 years in prison after authorities say he attempted to set up a sexual encounter with whom he thought was a 15-year-old boy but was actually an undercover police officer.
The food services director of the Whitnall School District has been charged with use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime after authorities say he tried to initiate a sexual encounter with a teenage boy, Patch's media partner, WISN 12 News, is reporting.
James Heidke, 55, was arrested after an undercover Milwaukee police officer posed online as a 15-year-old boy answering a Craigslist ad, WISN said. Heidke was arrested after arranging to meet the "boy" for sex. If convicted, he could face up to 40 years in prison.
Inside Heidke's Milwaukee home, police said they uncovered what could be described as a dungeon in the basement with leather restraints, collars and a sling.
Superintendent Lowell Holtz told WISN 12 News that Heidke, who was a subcontractor and not a district employee, is no longer with the district.
For more on this story, visit the WISN 12 News website.
Stephen Stevanovic
11:53 am on Thursday, March 7, 2013
I could not believe this when i first heard that this man who worked at my school was in fact a pedophile. i would see him every day at lunch when i would buy my food. serves him right to be put behind bars.
Audra Stanislawski
11:55 am on Thursday, March 7, 2013
I agree with Stephen on this one. It was unbelievable to hear this news and also rather frightening. Hopefully he does spend the full 40 years in prison for what he did.
Nathan Reed
12:00 pm on Thursday, March 7, 2013
This took me by surprise when i first discovered this news. It's strange when someone you don't really know but see regularly turns out to be a danger to high school kids.
Mariah Kotecki
12:17 pm on Friday, March 15, 2013
I never really expected this to happen at Whitnall, but then again a lot of strange things happen here from time to time but knowing someone like that was here for awhile without anyone noticing is a scary thought.
Jocelyn Dantinne
8:23 am on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Each one of us here at Whitnall that go down and eat lunch in the cafeteria have walked past this man, or even talked to him. It is really frightening to think that this actually happened here at my school. i agree with Mariah.