Rachwal sent back to mental institution

FOND DU LAC - Horse enthusiasts filled the Waupaca County court room to see if Sterling Rachwal, 47, would be sent back to a mental health facility.

Tami Kraft of Mukwa is the owner of one of the horses Rachwal was convicted of sexually abusing in 1997. Rachwal was found not guilty due to mental disease or deffect and institutionalized.

"He was on my property in my barn," said Kraft. "We're not exactly sure what he did but something happened with one of my horses."

Rachwal was conditionally released in February, 2008. In November 2008, Rachwal was found on a Fond du Lac county farm, but gave the horse's owner a false name. He was arrested earlier this month after an email tip.

Rachwal told authorities he went there to see if his urges were still there for sexual gratification, but says he stopped before he was discovered.

The prosecution also mentioned two other incidents since then, where horses were euthanized, but says they can in no way connect them to Rachwal.

"There is no physical evidence due to the length of time but the method of the injuries is consistent with some of Mr. Rachwal's previous cases," said Detective Ryan Murphy with the Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Department.

Rachwal's case manager and probation officer also testified, recommending Rachwal be institutionalized again.

"We feel the only viable way to intervene is for him to return to the institution," said Tricia Murray, Rachwal's probation officer. "We do not have the therapy or treatment in the community that would assure him not re-offending."

Rachwal's girlfriend, Chris Ranta, met him after the the 2008 incident.

"He was making good progress," she said. "He really made the effort to make the changes in his life so he could be a part in the community and be a functional part of the community. He's never done anything to me or hurt me in any way. Or showed any signs."

William Krause spent a year in Winnebago Mental Health Facility where he became friends with Rachwal.

"There was some kind of change there because he didn't violate that horse, he didn't do that," said Krause. "Until the public gives room for change, there won't be change."

"There's absolutely no doubt in my mind he will re-offend," said Kraft.

Rachwal could be kept in one of the state's two mental health facilities until April 2015.