Zellner sentenced to 15 years in prison

MANITOWOC - A former teacher convicted of sex-related crimes with several students will spend several years behind bars.

Just before 5:30 p.m., the sentencing hearing for 33-year-old Ryan Zellner wrapped up.

Zellner will spend 15 years in prison and have another 18 years of extended supervision.

After hearing testimony for several hours, Manitowoc County Judge Darryl Deets issued that sentence.

During Thursday’s hearing, a victim, a victim's family member, family members of Zellner and even Zellner himself spoke.

“I would like to apologize to the victims and their families. I broke the trust all of you had in me, I caused all of you a lifetime of pain, sadness, stress and anger,” said Zellner.

Zellner expressed regret and remorse in front of a packed courtroom Thursday. The 33-year-old was barely able to catch his breath at times between sentences. But despite his admissions of causing pain and suffering to dozens of people, he asked the judge for leniency.

“I understand I need more punishment and rehabilitation. Upon my release, I promise to follow all the guidelines and conditions of probation and supervision,” said Zellner.

But anything besides time behind bars was unacceptable for the victims and their families. One of Zellner's victims says the anguish and suffering he caused her and the other girls should be enough to keep him locked up as long as possible.

“We provided more than enough proof to put him away for good. Please consider how much he's affected my life the past 9 years. He took everything away from me,” said one of Zellner’s victims.

Emotional and in pain, the girl detailed how she says Zellner's actions destroyed her life for the past nine years.

“Nearly every relationship I've been in has been ruined bc of the walls that I put up because of him. I still see his face in a crowd and I still see his black jeep following me everywhere,” said the victim. “You are a coward. You brainwashed so many innocent victims into keeping your shameful and embarrassing secret.”

After the victim's pleas Zellner's mother, Donna Zellner, and his wife followed with requests to the judge not to pass down a harsh judgment.

“There are programs and treatment centers that offer healthy alternatives to time served behind bars. Ryan sentencing should be a constructive form of punishment not a destructive one,” said Donna Zellner.

“Please give my husband a chance. I know the public and law enforcement will not be disappointed,” said Zellner’s wife.

After more than three hours listening to both sides, Judge Darryl Deets spoke his mind to Zellner.

“You say you crossed the line. I'd say you obliterated the line,” said Judge Deets.

That’s when the judge handed down his punishment of 15 years in prison with 18 years of supervision following. The judge said Zellner's crime was severe, therefore deserving of what he says is a severe punishment.

Zellner taught in the Kiel, West De Pere and Green Bay school districts.

"I stand as I did the very first day, that these girls did nothing wrong," said Kiel Police Chief Dave Funkhouser, who served as an investigation spokesman throughout. "They are heroes in my book. Every girl who was involved in this case is a hero." 

Zellner is being credited with just more than a year (402 days) of time served in jail.