Photo of Racheal by Andrea Hay News Jan 2018 |
In addition to raping and killing horses, he's burglarized homes.
Uncomfirmed: Some people report that he was an arsonist as a teenager, and sexually abused animals, including dogs and horses, in Nevada and California.
Even after being arrested and convicted multiple times for his crimes, he keeps on going after horses. Here's a timeline that shows just how persistent he is:
Rachwal was convicted of mistreatment of animals in 1983 and 1984 in Waupaca County, and in Outagamie County in 1988.
In December 1993, Rachwal plead no contest to charges of mistreatment of animals causing death, sexual gratification with an animal, and intentional mistreatment of animals in Monroe County. Rachwal appealed his sentence, and was partially successful. He was released on bail in 1995. It didn't take him long to go back to raping horses.
In June of 1996, Rachwal was charged with two counts of burglary, mistreatment of animals, criminal damage to property, and felony bail jumping. In May of 1997, he was found not guilty by reason of mental defect, and sent to Mendota Mental Institution.
In 2008, Sterling Rachwal was released from Mendota and almost immediately went after another horse in Fon du Lac. He was thrown back into custody, and they managed to hold him until 2012, when they finally convicted him and gave him 90 days.
Rachwal petitioned for, and got, another release hearing April 23rd 2014. At that time, the judge stated that he would not release Rachwal, but would have to do so one year later.
Rachwal was released June 28th, 2015.
On November 28th, 2015, a pregnant mare was brutally attacked near New London, WI (near where the Rachwal family farm is located). The mare was raped with "objects" and found bleeding in her pasture. Police could not confirm Rachwal was the one who did the deed, so he was not jailed. The mare and her unborn foal later died.
In April 2017, Sterling Rachwal molested a horse in Eaton, near Green Bay.
In May 2017, he raped a gelding at a ranch in Maribel, also near Green Bay.
Update: 1/12/18
This is devastating, and utterly incomprehensible.
Serial horse rapist and torturer Sterling Rachwal got a sweet deal from WI prosecutors.
Originally, Rachwal was charged with five crimes:
Three misdemeanors in Brown County:
Intentionally Mistreating Animals (raping a gelding)
Disorderly Conduct
Resisting or Obstructing an Officer
...and two misdemeanors in Manitowoc County:
Intentionally Mistreating Animals (raping a different gelding)
Disorderly Conduct
The assistant/deputy district attorneys of both counties offered him a deal. Jill Vendetti and Dana Johnson decided to drop most of the charges and offer Rachwal a slap on the wrist as punishment. Rachwal plead guilty to just ONE misdemeanor charge of Intentionally Mistreating Animals.
He was sentenced to only two years probation! Article here.
Oh, and as part of the sentence, Rachwal has to pay a mere $105 and is banned from stepping foot on any property that has horses on it (ha, yeah right, like he's ever going to stop).
This deal is a slap in the face to all Wisconsin horse owners.
This deal says, "we don't care if Sterling Rachwal rapes and mutilates your horses."
RACHWAL IS FREE TO RAPE AGAIN!
Are you pissed? Let's change the law!
The "Sterling Rachwal" bill, A.B. 666, would provide a real criminal penalty for raping animals.
First, it has to be voted on by the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee. Contact them and tell them to vote YES !
Next, the bill will go to the WI State Legislature. Contact them! http://legis.wisconsin.gov
You can read the full text of the bill here.
Safety Tips for Preventing Another Rachwal Rape:
Rachwal owns this SUV |
Rachwal Family: Unfortunately, Sterling Rachwal has a twin brother, and possibly one other brother, so appearance alone may not help you identify him. Sources close to the Rachwal family say that the brothers look fairly different now that they have aged, but make no assumptions about his identity. Sterling Rachwal's family are innocent citizens and should not be harassed in any way. At least one of his family members is terrified of him and wants nothing to do with him. Repeat: this family cannot help being related to a monster.
Other Possible Identifiers: Rachwal is interested in working on trucks. Rachwal has terrible spelling in written communications. You can see his Facebook page here.
Protect Yourself!
Locked gates, security cameras, alarm systems, and guard dogs are good ideas. He WILL re-offend.
In the comments section, someone questioned the truth of this Sterling Rachwal's crimes. I can assure you that they and he are REAL horrors. I have included some articles and a video below, and you can click them to see them full size. You can also visit this news video, and Fon du Lac newspaper online article. You can also go to Wisconsin Circuit Court Access and look up Sterling Rachwal by name to see a list of his crimes.
More articles here, here, here, here, here, and below (click to enlarge):
Is there any way we can submit a written letter if there is no way we can be there in person???
ReplyDeleteI swear on my life if that guy comes even near my horses he will be shot.
ReplyDeleteThis is all true about this creep! I live in New London and am involved in the horse community. One of my friend's mare was hurt so badly that she had to be put down. I cannot believe they are letting him go! My horses will be stabled every night with barn lights on and our Rottweiler kept inside with them!
DeleteI thin ppl like this like hm should be....well normal people know the ending of that. Ppl have no care when is animals......send them away possibly and say the are mentally insane...please they r fricken sick ..what if it was our kids......shit they dont get long enough....the law does nothing untill it happens to them or there's and they wounder why ppl handle it in there own hands.enough of this with te creeps.animals kids elderly when will enough b enugh....jess
DeleteI want to know why the courts haven't had him evaluated and put in an institution where he belongs, for life! This man is totally nuts and the courts are releasing him? C'mon Judges, this guy is a danger to society!!
DeleteHow do you know what is posted in the comments before you post this? I'm not stupid and I'm not feeding into your click/like/share BS. Have a nice day.
DeleteThis blog post was originally posted in April of 2014. Since then, it's gotten a lot of comments. I read them, and respond to them here, or by editing the original post.
DeleteI have also updated the original post several times to let people know what's happening in this case. That's why you see "UPDATE: 7/13/15" the sixth line down from the top.
You are of course not obligated to warn anyone about Sterling Rachwal, or "like" anything I post. However, I would ask that you do some basic fact checking before calling "BS." This guy is dangerous, and if you're telling people he isn't out there, that's awful.
People like that are not "fixable". He needs to be eliminated in a slow painful way.
DeletePeople like this are not able to be "rehabilitated". His life should end immediately, but slowly, so he can endure some of what he is doing before he wastes any more oxygen on the planet. I am so so sad and horrified at what he is doing. He won't want to run across me. Glad for the picture.
Deletei would think it important to set up a "critter cam" and security system to alert you when ANYONE enters your horse barn. THEN i would take my 22/45/glock/magnum/sig sauer...WHATEVER and pay the "intruder" a little "come to Jesus" call.....just sayin
DeleteCan I do anything to help from Canada? Writing letters etc?
ReplyDeleteIt isn't true CCAP the man nothing comes up at all I would say this is all a lie
ReplyDeleteNo its not a lie. All VERY true. I've known the family for years.
DeleteNOT a lie!!!! It is 100% true , he has molested, hurt, and killed horses of my friends and neighbors and I believe has been on my family's property and in the barn. Psycho started with other animals and crimes-even of his own family, keeps reoffending, and what will happen he day he happens upon a person.... Will that be the next step or will more innocent animals suffer? He should never be freed. He is ill and has proven he cannot be rehabilitated. We must make sure he is never, ever released!!
Delete100% true, the majority of the crimes happened within 20 miles of my house. I feel bad for his twin brother being labeled the same.
DeleteMy sister was in highschool. With him....this is ALL true...he's a sadistic, evil individual that SHOULD find his end...he had done this since childhood and he needs to be stopped
DeleteYes it is true!!! It happen 15 miles from me, one mare was pregnant, and had to be put down!! He is a sick SOB!!!! Do you really think they have everything on CCAP? You must not be from around here!!!
DeleteHe finds the right farm, he won't leave alive...
DeleteIt is VERY VERY TRUE!!! Having lived in his original stalking grounds anyone with horses was traumatized every time this very sick man was released. Now he is getting out!!! Plz plz protest
DeleteCount No.
DeleteStatute
Description
Severity
Disposition
1
943.10(1)(a)
Burglary-Building or Dwelling
Felony C
Dismissed on Prosecutor's Motion
2
951.02
Mistreatment of Animals/Cause Death
Felony E
Guilty / No Contest
3
951.02
Mistreatment of Animals/Cause Death
Felony E
Dismissed on Prosecutor's Motion
4
944.17(2)(c)
Sexual Gratification with an Animal
Misd. A
Dismissed on Prosecutor's Motion
5
944.17(2)(c)
Sexual Gratification with an Animal
Misd. A
Dismissed on Prosecutor's Motion
6
951.02
Intentional Mistreatment of Animals
Misd. A
Guilty / No Contest
7
944.17(2)(c)
Sexual Gratification with an Animal
Misd. A
Guilty / No Contest
Maybe you don't know how to look things up on CCAP, or you misspelled his name. It's there. It's ALL there! Every sick, twisted detail starting in 1993.
DeleteSo you are telling me, We will call you anonymous ONE, that they kept this man in jail/prison for no reason for how many years because YOU couldn't find him on CCAP??...I would be very afraid for my animals.
DeleteProof if Box Knife uesed in attack. Proof if he was in area at the time. Proof of means, motive, opportunity. Proponderance of evidence is enough to convict. Don't need a video or DNA.
DeleteI don't know why Anonymous says it's a lie. I just looked this freak up on CCAP and he is definitely in there. All the charges mentioned above are. This guy is disgusting and deserves to be locked up for life, be that in a mental institution or jail. If he comes near my animals, he'll be castrated with a rusty butter knife.
ReplyDeleteif i ever commite murder, he's at the top of the list with no regrets, and yet i would sit for life, while sick basters like this run free. nice world we live in
DeleteIt's probably because it is him! Think about it.
DeleteI work at WIDOC and he does exist and well known in the system.
ReplyDeleteNOT a lie!!!! It is 100% true , he has molested, hurt, and killed horses of my friends and neighbors and I believe has been on my family's property and in the barn. Psycho started with other animals and crimes-even of his own family, keeps reoffending, and what will happen he day he happens upon a person.... Will that be the next step or will more innocent animals suffer? He should never be freed. He is ill and has proven he cannot be rehabilitated. We must make sure he is never, ever released!!
ReplyDeleteI live around his stomping grounds. This felon needs to see the inside of an institution for the rest of his life, or his arms cut off. Period. No more questions.
ReplyDeleteSigned,
Disgusted & Scared in WI
Cut off his legs...then he can't get to the horses!
DeleteIs this a joke? Im just saying, I read it all and thinking to myself... who would touch an animal in such a way. Wth
ReplyDeleteThis is no joke. This demented person was doing this. I had horses boarded in the area at the time and SOP was to padlock all the doors at night and make checks several times.
DeleteThere's other guys that did the same to a sheep in calumet county...
DeleteRaving psycho! Butchered 400 chickens and screwed a beagle. I'm taking him back to Nevada where he's wanted for banging horses!
ReplyDeleteCan you do that on April 15th?
DeleteThey are Republicans
ReplyDeleteSterling Rachwal wanted to "test the waters" when he trespassed on the farm mentioned above. I want to test the waters too. I want to see if my 3 prong metal pitchfork can be driven right through him in order to save countless animals from suffering at the hands of this sickening nut job.
ReplyDeleteReally Anonymous April 9, 2014 5:57AM, you had ALL of my support until you brought politics in! You talk like a sausage!
ReplyDeleteWhat about all of the fires he started. There were several volunteer firefighters who had to stay at the firehouse because they needed to get to the fires sooner. He even started his mothers farm on fire..... This guy is sick.....My dad was on the fire department and talks about this and how horrible it was....He used to sit across the road from the property that was burning and watched it burn. He also molested my neighbors horses....He molested his own sisters horse too. He should be taken in a barn and then let every horse owner do to him what he has done to horses. DO NOT LET THIS HORRIBLE EXCUSE FOR A HUMAN OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteFlip him over the paddock gate and let the HORSES do him like he did them!!
DeleteCastle law. Sit and wait for him like you're waiting for a wolf to get at your livestock
ReplyDeleteI know this is awful,I want to share this on some groups I'm on, but spell check please...
ReplyDeleteKeith A Steckbauer is the court official - however I cannot locate an email address for him
ReplyDeletePlease send letters to: Judge
ReplyDeleteKeith A Steckbauer
811 Harding St
Waupaca WI 54981
ALL letters sent to Judge Steckbauer also need to be copies to the DA Jim Fassbender at the same address listed above
How can they let this man out.. For those of you whom do not think this is real .Do not live here.My Aunt and Uncle live 2 miles from his family farm.He is a sick sick man and should stay where he is!!! I think he should be in prison even there they do not tolerate his kind. He wouldn't last long!
ReplyDeleteI just hope this twisted piece of crap goes near the first anonymous' horse. Not close enough to harm the animal, mind you, just close enough for anony to take careful aim and get off a good shot.
ReplyDeleteWhen will the results of the hearing be known?
ReplyDeleteUPADTE:
DeleteThe good news: Horse rapist, mutilator and killer Sterling Rachwal was NOT released at his court hearing. Judge Steckbauer believes he is remorseless, and will offend again.
The bad news: Rachwal WILL be released on April 21st, 2015. Wisconsin horse owners, you have one year to get an alarm system, guard dog, camera system, etc.
Rachwal will probably return to stay at his parent's farm between New London and Weyauwega, WI in Waupaca County.
I hope his parents have gotten rid of any live stock they might of had. I can't imagine why this guy has ever been released to torture another innocent animal!! What I think should happen is someone do the same thing to him as he has done to these horses and ponies. But wait - that would take a monster. Maybe the horse molester can be forced to do to himself what he did to these innocent creatures. Maybe that will stop him, but I doubt it.
DeleteApparently, the only thing that will stop him is ----death.
DeleteSeriously. If this creature was your son or brother, wouldn't you get together and have him committed to another mental institution. 3 signatures and off he goes. Repeat if necessary! If he was my relative I'd take care of the problem quite easily. Use your imagination on that.
ReplyDeleteWill the authorities notify neighbors like they do with child molestors?
ReplyDeleteNo. There is no law that requires that neighbors be notified about animal abusers OR moving into a neighborhood. Ditto for those previously incarcerated in a facility for the criminally insane.
DeleteIs the Facebook page still active for updates and such? What is the name of it?
DeleteSeems like the system is failing the public once again. I am truly hoping that he will be electronically monitored, that doesn't keep his family's animals safe though. This makes me sick to my stomach, what a monster!!
ReplyDeleteThe best way to solve this problem is to put him out of his misery. Yes, life in jail or whatever is fine, why should I have to pay for his upkeep. He does not deserve to have any kind of life.
ReplyDeleteI am absolutely sickened that they want to release this POS!! WHAT are they thinking!!! He should NEVER be free EVER again and should be made to feel the exact same SUFFERING that he imposed upon these helpless animals! We need to BOMBARD the Judge and everyone involved in his pending release and voice our concerns and outrage!
ReplyDeleteThis man is most definitely for real. I believe he's spent most of his time in the mental health system so his offenses are not posted to CCAP. His current hospitalization is either under a renewed 1 year mental health commitment order, although he may be held undery WI Statutes Ch 980-The Sexually Violent Persons Commitment Act, which can kept a person hospitalized indefinitely, but has to be reviewed yearly. In either case, he has NO business out in the community and on numerous occasions he has been returned to confinement for violating his supervision rules.
ReplyDeleteYou can't believe anything you read on the internet. If it's such a big deal if would be in the communities papers not on the Internet.
ReplyDeleteOh but it IS in the community papers and the surrounding counties papers too!
DeleteToo bad the inmates haven't already taken this guy out. He's pure evil and should not be allowed to be free ever again. �� ✔��
ReplyDeleteWhat if it was our kids even the law never does n e thig less it happens to them or theres keep the fuck away for gd...sick.....then they wunder why ppl handle it in their own hands when the law does nearly nothing......makes me sick anima kid elderly.......wha is the diffrence......ppl like that dont deserve to breathe....jess
ReplyDeleteCut him loose . The only thing that will cure him is a bullet . I know plenty of horse owners that will be waiting to cure him once and for all should they catch him trespassing .
ReplyDeleteWhat is the best venue to write, call or email the protest of his release? Thank you
ReplyDeleteI would go with
DeleteHonorable Judge Gary Sharpe
City County Government Center
160 S. Macy St.
Fond du Lac, WI 54935
920-929-3189
Time for castration if nothing else!
ReplyDeleteI have contacted Fox11 News to do an update regarding Sterling Rachwal's release. It is my understanding they have aired his story twice in the past. Please continue to update Craigslist and this blog in an effort to alert people about this *very dangerous individual...
ReplyDeleteI kno where he is hes currently renting a room at jills bar 613 bodart st in green bay Wisconsin
ReplyDeleteJust heard a horse was assaulted in Waupaca County. Any truth to this? Looking into to get more answers.
DeleteAGain in New London area horse brutally attacked. Sheriff on his way.....near the Rachwal family farm.
ReplyDeleteHe may have struck again, just as you called. Sick. The news article a previous offender from the area (presumably him) has already been contacted.
ReplyDeletehttp://fox11online.com/news/local/northwoods/sheriff-horse-may-have-been-sexually-assaulted
He may have done it again!!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://fox11online.com/news/local/northwoods/sheriff-horse-may-have-been-sexually-assaulted
https://www.facebook.com/520627257956345/photos/a.550743074944763.126211.520627257956345/1077457155606683/?type=3&theater
ReplyDeleteA pregnant mare was just raped outside of New London. Its gotta be him. The police have spoken to a "person of interest"
ReplyDeleteI worked with him at Mendota Mental Health Institute. He is not well and I am surprised that he has been released. Also not surprised that he may have re-offended.
ReplyDeletehttp://wbay.com/2015/11/30/waupaca-county-sheriffs-office-investigating-horses-sexual-assault/?cid=facebook_WBAY_TV-2
ReplyDeleteState of Wisconsin vs Sterling Rachwal 1995 - read the court report ** CAUTION it is disturbing and graphic.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.wicourts.gov/ca/opinion/DisplayDocument.html?content=html&seqNo=7948
Seriously, what is wrong with our justice system??? This man needs to be stopped and these animals shouldn't be put in harms way! Shoot him!
ReplyDeleteAmazing. This is the first time I've read a thread about murdering a horse rapist.
ReplyDeleteThis is absolutely mind blowing....I remember back in the 90's when I lived in Green Bay, when he did this sick crap and it was huge news! If there is a guy out there that taxpayers wouldn't care about paying for him to be locked up , it's this guy...a bullet is much cheaper State of Wisconsin..unfortunately there are plenty of human beings in this world that should not breathe the same air we do and this sick sick individual is one of them...just saying
ReplyDeleteAny updates? Has this monster been questioned or held on suspicion as of Dec 3rd?
ReplyDeleteI went to school with him and his twin brother. They may look alike but are as different as day and night. Sterling has done all these horrible things, but his family is innocent and they have to live with the fact that he has done this many times. They have been victimized by him themselves. His twin brother is a simple man with a kind heart. Sterling is pure evil. But please remember he does have an innocent twin who has been mistaken for him {Sterling} in the past.
ReplyDeleteThe mare died
ReplyDeletehttp://www.postcrescent.com/story/news/2015/12/23/sexually-assaulted-horse-dies/77843966/