Robert Kapishkowit, Minor Sex Abuse, WI 2018

Robert Kapishkowit, 26, of Neopit, Wisconsin, was sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for sexually abusing a minor on the Menominee Indian Reservation. The crime occurred on June 11, 2018, when Kapishkowit caused a female under the age of 16 to engage in a sex act at a residence in Neopit, a community within the reservation’s boundaries.

Kapishkowit pleaded guilty on January 22, 2020, to one count of Sexual Abuse of a Minor, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 2243(a) and 1153(a). The charge carries federal jurisdiction due to the crime taking place on tribal land. Senior United States District Judge William C. Griesbach handed down the sentence on August 6, 2020, calling the offense deeply disturbing and a violation of public trust.

In addition to prison time, Judge Griesbach ordered 60 months of supervised release following Kapishkowit’s incarceration. The court emphasized the need for deterrence, noting that crimes of this nature rip apart the fabric of close-knit communities like those on the reservation. The victim, a girl between 12 and 16 years old at the time, was known to the defendant.

Kapishkowit admitted during court proceedings that he engaged in a sexual act with the minor, acknowledging the illegality and immorality of his actions. No plea deal was entered that reduced the severity of the charge, and the prosecution pushed for a sentence reflecting the gravity of the abuse.

The case was investigated jointly by the Menominee Tribal Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Andrew J. Maier prosecuted the case on behalf of the federal government, underscoring the collaboration between tribal and federal authorities in addressing violent crimes on sovereign lands.

Matthew D. Krueger, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Wisconsin, confirmed the sentencing outcome. Public Information Officer Kenneth Gales remains available for media inquiries at (414) 297-1700. The year 2020 marked the 150th anniversary of the Department of Justice. For more information, visit www.Justice.gov/Celebrating150Years.