A Racine County judge ordered a former Burlington Police Officer to one year in county jail as a condition of his 3 year probation. He will also have to register as a sex offender.
In March, as part of an agreement, Matthew Baumhardt pleaded no contest to misconduct in office and sexual assault charges in case stemming back to July 2018.
"A crime was committed by a man who has pledged to protect and serve this community and the citizens within that community a man whose occupation is to uphold the law," the victim said in a statement to the courtroom Monday.
At times the victim struggled to get through her statement as she detailed the trauma that followed.
"I would like to be able to have a relationship and not shudder at the thought of someone touching me and I would like to feel safe," the victim said.
According to a criminal complaint, in July 2018 a woman said she was drunk when she asked Baumhardt for a ride home. Baumhardt, who was on duty, took her to a secluded facility where he had her perform a sexual act then intercourse. Baumhardt's body camera was not activated during the encounter.
The woman said she was afraid to say no because he was an officer with a gun and a dog, and he could leave her at the building. Later, Baumhardt claimed the victim threatened him into the act.
"I understand the severity of what I have done, what I have done to KR and her family, what I have done to my own family, and the disgrace I brought to my profession for that I am truly sorry," Baumhardt said in a statement to the court.
The judge called Baumhardt's actions a crime of opportunity.
"You were in charge. You had the training and the experience on the way to conduct yourself as a police officer needs from stances. You threw all that aside," said Judge Laufenberg.
