New child abuse charges filed against Lena man

Complaint alleges a pattern of abuse dating back nearly two decades
By: 
NEW Media Staff

Oconto County prosecutors filed 16 new child abuse charges against a Lena man Jan. 6 before a judge sentenced him to prison on two felonies and a misdemeanor to which he had already pleaded no contest.

Bond was set at $100,000 cash for Victor J. Alberts, 55, after he was charged with five counts of child abuse-intentionally causing harm, one count of child abuse intentionally causing great harm, four counts of child abuse with a high probability of great harm, five counts of causing mental harm to a child and one misdemeanor count of battery, in connection with a series of incidents that allegedly occurred between 2004 and 2018.

After that case was processed, Judge Jay N. Conley proceeded to the earlier case, where Alberts had pleaded no contest Oct. 25 to child abuse intentionally causing harm, possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a felony and a misdemeanor count of disorderly conduct, in connection with incidents that occurred in January and March 2020.

Conley sentenced Alberts to three years in state prison, followed by three years of extended supervision, on the child abuse case, and an additional 90 days in county jail for the battery charge. On the weapons charge, Conley imposed and stayed an another prison sentence, instead imposing three years of probation to be served after the three years of extended supervision for the other charges.

The newly filed, 36-page criminal complaint chronicles years of physical, mental and sexual abuse against children, including alleged beatings, threats and violence against family pets and other animals.

During a preliminary hearing into the new charges Jan. 11, defense attorney Alf Langan argued that the charges be dismissed in part because the dates of the incidents alleged in the complaint are unclear, but Conley ruled the state proved probable cause Alberts committed a felony and bound him over to circuit court.

Arraignment and a motion hearing are scheduled for Feb. 15.