Failed "grooming" investigation concludes it was merely communication of a coach with a student

[Jim Burton]

https://www.channel3000.com/news/former ... c3dce.html

Schramm sent evidence over to Grant County District Attorney Ryan Kieler, believing there may be evidence to charge Phelps with causing mental harm to a child and possibly stalking. Both reported there was potentially evidence of a crime, but obtaining a search warrant of Phelps' phone would be unlikely since the text messages were sent four years ago.

In his report, Schramm said he received over 18,000 images and 2,000 videos related to Phelps from a detective with the Platteville Police Department. He said there was no evidence of inappropriate text messages sent to students.

Schramm sent the additional information over to Kieler, who said he would not be filing criminal charges at this time and the case would be closed. He said there was not enough evidence to charge Phelps with stalking because it's unclear that he knew he caused the student emotional distress.

Additionally, Kieler did not think there was enough evidence to charge Phelps with causing mental harm to a child because from his understanding, "the more questionable comments or messages" came after the student turned 18.

"While it appears to me that Phelps was probably acting inappropriately as a teacher and a coach, I don't think there is a case that can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt," Kieler told Schramm in an email obtained by Channel3000.com. "The inappropriate behavior is more in the territory of the school to handle if they choose to terminate his employment, that is their business."