St. Anthony School arson suspect convicted

OCONTO - The teen boy charged with starting a fire at an Oconto Falls school in February has been convicted.

Vincent Enneper, 16, was charged with arson in the case.

Enneper had previously entered a not guilty plea by mental disease or defect. However, after a doctor did not support the plea, Enneper's attorney withdrew it.

In court Wednesday, Enneper asked Oconto County Judge Michael Judge to accept a new plea of no contest to two charges of arson and one of burglary, as a part of a plea arrangement.

Enneper was charged with starting a fire at St. Anthony School in February. It caused about $2 million in damage.

The school was forced to hold classes in a nearby church for the remainder of the year.

Judge Judge accepted the plea of no contest, finding Enneper guilty on one count of arson. The other two counts were dismissed by the court as a part of the plea agreement.

Enneper's attorney says Enneper has remorse for his actions and wishes to get past this time in his life.

"Vincent decided that it was best for him, I think best for St. Anthony’s and best for the community, for him to enter a plea and accept responsibility and that's consistent with what he had told me his goals in the case always were,” said Bradley Schraven, Enneper’s attorney.

Oconto Falls Assistant District Attorney Robert Mraz wasn't available for comment after the hearing.

Enneper is scheduled for sentencing Aug. 21.

Schraven says Enneper does have mental health issues and believes they will play into the sentencing.

FOX 11 was unable to reach St. Anthony School. However, according to its website, there is a public meeting to discuss the latest on the school's rebuilding process. That is Thursday at 6 p.m.