MatiChek pleads not guilty to assault charge

Former Ald. Kevin MatiChek pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual assault of a child following a hearing that revealed more details about the allegations.

MatiChek was arrested Feb. 6 after police followed up on an anonymous tip that he had been sexually involved with a 14-15 year-old boy. While the criminal complaint initially alleged that MatiChek engaged in a sexual relationship with the boy from June through September, a detective in the case testified Wednesday that sexual activity continued as recently as the Sunday before his arrest.

Sheboygan Police Detective Tamara Remington testified that MatiChek met the victim, then 14, through Facebook in early June of 2014. Remington said a sexual relationship started shortly thereafter, starting with an incident in MatiChek's car outside Terry Andrae park. Other sexual incidents occurred afterward across from the YMCA and on two trips to Milwaukee -- one to Pridefest in early June and another in which MatiChek took the victim shopping.

In addition, the victim recounted several other sexual encounters at MatiChek's house, including one earlier this month.

While MatiChek's mother, who also lives in the house, told police that she was concerned about the age of the boys MatiChek brought to the house, she never reported it.

Remington said the victim only indicated that the mother would yell at them to be quiet when they were having sex. District Attorney Joe DeCecco told the assembled media after Wednesday's hearing that there was no obligation for MatiChek's mother to report to the police, but that those details are still part of an ongoing investigation.

The prosecution also attempted to lay out a scenario in which MatiChek attempted to coach and groom the victim.

Remington said that while the victim initially denied any sexual relationship with MatiChek, he said in a follow-up interview that MatiChek allegedly told the victim to deny any sexual involvement and to tell officers that MatiChek had erectile dysfunction and could not have had sex with him as a result. Remington also said MatiChek routinely bought gifts for the victim, including an iPhone for his birthday, video games and underwear.

MatiChek, according to the criminal complaint, confirmed that he was "dating" the victim and had been in several of the places mentioned by the victim but that he did not engage in sexual contact with him during those times.

MatiChek's attorney, Casey Hoff, indicated that he may ask the court for a change of venue because of the media attention brought to the case, but DeCecco said that's unlikely to happen. DeCecco also said that he believes they have a strong case against MatiChek, even before forensic analysis of electronic items seized from MatiChek.

"Juries do what they want to do, but you got to realize that while Mr. MatiChek has denied sexual contact," DeCecco said. "He has confirmed the relationship, he has confirmed being in certain spots where (the victim) stated the sexual encounter occured, though he denied it occurred. So of all the cases we have of younger people involved in sexual assaults, this to me is a pretty solid case."

Hoff declined to go into the facts of the case, but once again emphasized the need to consider his client innocent until proven guilty.

"These things are not always black and white; little in life is black and white and so you're seeing things as they come out and I'll let the process play out in court about that," Hoff said.

Reach Jason Smathers at 920-453-5167.