SUN PRAIRIE RISING

By Andy Schoenherr

Editor, Sun Prairie Rising

March 25th, 2026

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A Sun Prairie man has been taken into custody on Wednesday, March 25th in connection with a child sexual assault case. It’s the result of an investigation that began with a missing child report in Illinois and led police to a residence on Bird St, south of Main.

According to the Sun Prairie Police Department, the case started when the police in Harvard, Illinois reported a missing child. Investigators later determined the child had been contacted through social media by a suspect in Sun Prairie.

Police say the suspect arranged for the child to travel by rideshare from Illinois to the 200 block of South Bird Street, where the assault occurred. Afterward, the suspect arranged transportation for the child to return home.

Authorities say the child is now safe and back with their family in Harvard, Illinois.

Suspect in Custody

After 9am on the morning of Thursday, March 25th local residents reported a number of armed agents in the area around S Bird St and Talon Pl. That morning, police arrested 27-year-old Chase Schroeder of Sun Prairie in connection with the investigation. He is currently being held on a federal probation warrant.

According to authorities, Schroeder was previously convicted in 2019 in Texas for possession of child sexual abuse material and is listed on the Wisconsin Sex Offender Registry.

The case has been referred to the Dane County District Attorney’s Office, where prosecutors are expected to review multiple recommended charges, including:

• First-degree sexual assault of a child under age 12
• Sexual exploitation of a child
• Use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime
• Child enticement
• Possession of child pornography

Multi-Agency Investigation

The investigation involved multiple agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the United States Marshals Service, along with police in Harvard, Illinois.

Sun Prairie Police Chief Kevin Warych called the case “disturbing and incomprehensible,” emphasizing the department’s commitment to pursuing those who target children.

“The Sun Prairie Police Department will turn over every stone, follow every lead, and spare no expense to hold an individual or individuals accountable for such actions.” Warych said.

When someone targets a child, we will do everything in our power to identify them, build a constitutionally sound case, and hold them accountable.”

Warych added, “I also recognize the impact cases like this have on our community. No matter what happens, Sun Prairie is safe, and we assure you we are here to protect residents, support victims, and provide closure. Our message is simple: if you harm a child, you will be found, and you will be held accountable.”

Reminder About Online Safety

Police are also urging parents and guardians to talk with their children about online interactions, including who they communicate with and what platforms they use.

Resources on internet safety for families are available through
the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program at http://www.icactaskforce.org and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children’s NetSmartz program at
http://www.missingkids.org/netsmartz.

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