Burlington Teacher Charged With Sexual Assault, Child Pornography

RACINE COUNTY, WI — A band teacher for the Wheatland J1 School District in Burlington was charged with sexual assault of a child and multiple counts of possession of child pornography, according to online court records.

Zachary P. Wendt, 38, of Burlington, was charged in Racine County Court and is expected to appear next in court on Dec. 16, online court records show. The allegations against the Wheatland employee occurred off-campus and students in the district were not involved, according to a letter the district sent to parents Wednesday.

Cash bond for Wendt was set at $500,000, court records show.

The district letter said Wheatland J1 School District was informed of an employee's arrest and that the employee has been suspended without pay.

A Racine area music store advertises Wendt online as a private music instructor. Wendt is also listed on the Wheatland J1 School District's website as a band teacher.

A criminal complaint accuses Wendt of getting a 16-year-old girl drunk before he had sex with her, The Journal Times reported. In the complaint, the victim told police she knew Wendt because she also gave lessons at the music store he gave lessons at, the Journal Times report said.

Online court records show Wendt has been charged with:

• Sexual intercourse with child 16 or older, actor 19 or older.
• Sexual assault of child by person who works or volunteers with children.
• Sexual intercourse with child 16 or older, actor 19 or older.
• Sexual assault of child by person who works or volunteers with children.
• Possession of child pornography.
• Possession of child pornography.
• Possession of child pornography.
• Exposing genitals/pubic area/intimate parts to a child.

The Wheatland J1 School District sent the following letter signed by a district administrator to parents on Wednesday:

Dear Parents and Guardians:

I am writing with some very troubling news. Late last evening, I was informed by the Burlington Police Department that a Wheatland J1 School District employee was arrested. He has been suspended without pay effective immediately, pending an investigation.

We have been informed that the arrest was made in relation to an alleged situation that occurred off district property and did not include any Wheatland J1 School District students. Due to the circumstances surrounding this investigation, the middle school 5-8 band concert scheduled for tomorrow, December 9, 2021 will be postponed.

Please know that there is no additional information we can share at this time as this is an active investigation. As a school district, our first and most important responsibility is to ensure the safety of our students. We will continue to do everything we can to make that happen. School officials and district counselors will be available to answer questions students may have during the next several days. If you would like to view the original letter, please see link.

Sincerely,

Martin McGinley
District Administrator