RIPON, Wis. (WBAY) – A former boys basketball coach at the Ripon Area School District was arrested Tuesday and is in custody for sexual misconduct with a minor.

According to an informational release from the Ripon Area School District sent to families on Thursday, Mihai Schnell-Harrison, who coached varsity boys basketball for one season at Ripon High School, was arrested by the Ripon Police Department on Tuesday.

The lock-up list provided by the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office says he has been referred on charges of Sexual Assault of a Child by a Person Who Works or Volunteers with Children, Exposing Child to Harmful Material, and Child Enticement. Charges are still being formally reviewed by the Fond du Lac County District Attorney’s Office, and no criminal complaint has been filed as of now, meaning these charges may change.

The Ripon Area School District included a statement in their informational release, saying: “The District wants to thank the City of Ripon Police Department for their swift action over the past two days to ensure the safety and well-being of our students and staff. The safety of all students and staff is the District’s top priority. As such, please remind your child(ren) if they experience anything or hear anything that makes them feel uncomfortable, they should tell a parent or a trusted adult who can help report the information to the proper authorities. Parents too are reminded to report anything they see or hear that causes concern to the proper authorities. The District’s commitment to ensuring a safe, supportive, and respectful environment for all students and staff remains unwavering. We are committed to transparency and will continue to update the community within the bounds of privacy laws and the ongoing investigation. The City of Ripon Police Department reminded the District that due to the ongoing investigation, and the sensitive nature of the case involving a minor, information is limited at this time.”

According to Schnell-Harrison’s bio on the Ripon Basketball website, he started as an assistant coach at Ripon High School in 2016 before joining the Waupun boys basketball program from 2017 to 2019. He then joined Appleton East’s varsity boys basketball program as an assistant coach while also coaching the freshman team before returning to Ripon as the head boys basketball coach.

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