SUN PRAIRIE POLICE INVESTIGATING CHILD SEXUAL ASSAULT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
 
Sun Prairie, WI - The Sun Prairie Police Department is currently investigating a sexual assault involving a child that occurred in the 200 block of South Bird Street in Sun Prairie.

The investigation originated with a missing child report filed with the Harvard, Illinois, Police Department. Through that investigation, it was determined that the suspect in this case had initiated contact with the missing child via social media and arranged transportation via a rideshare service to bring the child to Sun Prairie, where the child was sexually assaulted. Following the assault, the suspect arranged transportation via a rideshare service to return the child to Illinois. The child is safe and has returned to the care of their family in Harvard, Illinois.

Chase Schroeder, 27, of Sun Prairie, was taken into custody today in connection with this investigation and is currently being held on a federal probation warrant. Schroeder was previously convicted in Texas in 2019 for Possession of Visual Depiction of Sexual Activities by a Minor. Schroeder is also an active registrant on the Wisconsin Department of Corrections Sex Offender Registry. The Sun Prairie Police Department is referring charges to the Dane County District Attorney's Office against Mr. Schroeder for:
• First Degree Sexual Assault of a Child (Under 12 Years of Age)
• Sexual Exploitation of a Child
• Use of a Computer to Facilitate a Child Sex Crime
• Child Enticement
• Possession of Child Pornography

The Sun Prairie Police Department was assisted in this investigation by the Harvard (IL) Police Department, the United States Marshals Service, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Each of our law enforcement partners helped in this investigation and the subsequent arrest of Mr. Schroeder.

"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. Frankly, these actions are disturbing and incomprehensible. I want our community to know that when someone targets a child, we will do everything in our power to identify them, build a constitutionally sound case, call upon as many of our law enforcement partners as we need, and work seven days a week to protect victims and hold suspects accountable," said Chief Kevin Warych.

"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," said Warych.

The Sun Prairie Police Department encourages parents and guardians to have regular conversations with their children about online communication, including who they are talking to and which platforms they use. Resources on internet safety for families are available through the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force Program at www.icactaskforce.org and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children's NetSmartz program at www.missingkids.org/netsmartz.

Media Contact:
Lt. Ray Thomson
Sun Prairie Police Department
rthomson@cityofsunprairie.com
(608) 513-8506