GREENFIELD, WI — A former assistant track coach at Greenfield High School faces serious criminal charges after allegedly engaging in an inappropriate sexual relationship with a student-athlete during the 2024 spring track season.
Bennet Schmitz was charged Thursday with two counts of child enticement and sexual assault of a student by a school staff member. The charges stem from allegations that he exchanged explicit text messages with a teen student and engaged in sexual contact with her multiple times at his apartment and rented hotels, according to a criminal complaint filed Oct. 23.
Investigation begins after student reports assault
The allegations came to light Oct. 9, 2025, when the teen told a school resource officer that Schmitz had sexually assaulted her. The resource officer immediately reported the matter to police, launching the investigation.
According to prosecutors, Schmitz began regularly calling and texting the student during the spring track season, which runs from March through June 2023. He later became her supervisor when she started working at Milwaukee Yard.
Text messages between the two allegedly spanned from March 2023 through October 2024. Prosecutors say the messages became increasingly sexual in nature beginning in March 2024, when Schmitz allegedly convinced the teen to exchange explicit photos and videos with him over Snapchat.
That's also when he allegedly confessed his love for her, according to the complaint.
Watch: Former Greenfield High School track coach charged over alleged inappropriate relationship with student
Student tried to establish boundaries
The teen told investigators she did not share those feelings and attempted to establish boundaries with Schmitz. She allegedly told him she wanted to spend less time together outside of work and track practice.
Prosecutors say Schmitz initially appeared to comply with the teen's wishes, but just two days later allegedly insisted they meet up.
The inappropriate relationship allegedly began in April 2024 and took place on numerous occasions at his apartment and at hotels Schmitz rented for them.
The teen said whenever she tried to cut contact with Schmitz, he would threaten to commit suicide. Prosecutors also say he showed up at the teen's home and waited for her until she returned.
The student allegedly felt pressured to continue the relationship because Schmitz served as both her coach at school and her boss at work.
Relationship allegedly continued despite student's attempts to end it
After the teen moved during summer 2024, she allegedly told Schmitz they should not see each other again. This was met with more threats of suicide and attempts to convince her to visit him, according to prosecutors.
In an interview with detectives, Schmitz allegedly admitted the teen came to his apartment approximately once a week during track season. He initially claimed they had only kissed but later admitted to sending explicit videos to the teen and engaging in sexual contact with her.
School district responds
The School District of Greenfield said in a release that it is aware of only one student involved in the alleged inappropriate behavior and has cooperated fully with law enforcement throughout the investigation.
The district also noted that Schmitz is not a licensed educator and did not serve in a teaching role within the district.
Schmitz is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 28 at 1:15 p.m. for an initial appearance, according to court records.
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