Appeal filed by former Green Bay teacher convicted of sexually assaulting minors

GREEN BAY, Wisconsin (WBAY) – A former Green Bay elementary school teacher convicted of sexually assaulting his students has filed an appeal of his conviction.

David Villareal filed an appeal with the state Court of Appeals, 3rd District, earlier this month.

He was convicted in July 2023 and sentenced to 50 years in prison followed by 10 years of extended supervision. The deadline to appeal had been extended six times before filing this notice on 8 November.

PREVIOUS: A former Green Bay elementary school teacher convicted of sexually assaulting his students received a sentence that could amount to life in prison.

“Four little lives changed forever,” said Mr. Donald Zuidmulder said in court.

A jury convicted David Villareal in April on all charges: first-degree sexual assault using threat on a child under 16 (count 1), two counts of first-degree sexual assault on a child under 13 (counts 2 and 3), and repeated acts of sexual assault on the same child (count 4).

On Friday, a judge sentenced Villareal, 48, to 50 years in prison and 20 years of extended supervision:

Count 1: 25 years in prison and 10 years of extended supervision;
Count 2: 25 years in prison and 10 years of extended supervision after serving sentence on count 1;
Count 3: 15 years imprisonment and 10 years extended supervision concurrent with sentence for count 2;
Count 4: 10 years in prison and 10 years of extended supervision, also concurrent with sentence for count 2.

Villareal could have been sentenced to 60 years in prison for each of the three first-degree sexual assault charges and 40 years for the repeat sexual assault charge.

Villareal was arrested in April 2021. A former student from Baird Elementary School came forward and said Villareal fondled or squeezed her buttocks or thighs every day, prosecutors said. She also said he made inappropriate comments complimenting her or her older sister and hoped her mother would divorce so he could date her. The girl said it appeared after she started having nightmares and talking to her best friend, who said the same thing was happening to her.

Another former student said Villareal touched or slapped her butt. When she brought up the accusations, the school made her meet with the teacher to confront her, which made her uncomfortable and felt like the teacher was glaring at her the entire time. Shortly after this, his mother took him out of Baird.

Villareal vehemently denied all the accusations and testified in his own defense. He was the defense’s only witness. The jury deliberated for only an hour before reaching its verdict.

The parent of an aggrieved student said the following before handing down the sentence:

“I feel sick when I think about some of the things he said or did around me. He was grooming my daughter in front of me and I was too trusting to see it.”

He described the physical and emotional turmoil Villareal caused his family.

“It stole his innocence. It made him more anxious and negative and shattered his ability to trust others. He needs to be held accountable. He is a sex offender,” the parent stated. “No child or the families who love them should have to deal with this pain and this life-altering abuse “It shouldn’t stay.”

The state and Villareal’s defense told the judge their recommendations regarding his future.

“He is a supportive member of his family and community. He is active in the church community and has volunteered in the past. All of this reflects his character,” said Defense Attorney Stephanie Rock.

“I don’t have a crystal ball, but I can tell you that an investigation will tell me that he will be a danger to the public,” Deputy District Attorney Wendy Lemkuil said.

After giving the penalty, Zuidmulder addressed Villareal:

“I will not allow any parent to have to worry that their own child could be hurt and harmed like you did to the four children in this case.”

As part of Villareal’s extended supervision, he must comply with a number of rules, including joining the sex offender registry.

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