Man charged with child sex crimes after trying to meet underage girl in Wausau – WSAW

Incident Report: Intersection of Criminal Activity and Sustainable Development Goals

Case Summary

Christopher Bauer, a 46-year-old male, has been taken into custody in Wausau, Wisconsin, following an online investigation into child endangerment and illicit drug activities. He is currently detained at the Marathon County Jail on a $15,000 cash bond. The case highlights critical challenges to community safety and well-being, directly intersecting with several key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Charges Filed

Formal charges against Mr. Bauer include:

• Using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime
• Child enticement
• Attempted 2nd degree sexual assault of a child under 16
• Possession with the intent to deliver drugs
• Possession of a controlled substance
• Possession of drug paraphernalia

Investigative Details

The arrest was the result of a proactive online child endangerment investigation conducted by the Wausau Police Department. An undercover social media profile depicting a 15-year-old girl was established on the online application Kik. Mr. Bauer initiated contact with this account on November 1 and, over a five-day period, allegedly shared explicit content and arranged to meet the supposed minor on November 5. He was arrested at the arranged meeting point. A search revealed a cellphone with the explicit conversations and a vehicle containing various controlled substances, including mushrooms, LSD, and amphetamines.

Legal Proceedings

During a court hearing, the prosecution referenced Mr. Bauer’s criminal history, which dates back to 1997. A schedule for future legal proceedings has been established:

• Court Appearance: November 12
• Preliminary Hearing: November 17
• Pre-trial Conference: February 3, 2026

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This case directly relates to several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, highlighting the critical role of justice systems in achieving global targets for safety, health, and equality.

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The actions of the Wausau Police Department and the Marathon County judicial system exemplify the function of strong institutions in protecting vulnerable populations. The investigation, arrest, and prosecution directly address the SDG target of ending abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against children.
2. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The charges related to possession and intent to deliver controlled substances, coupled with the alleged offer of drugs to a minor, contravene the SDG target of strengthening the prevention and treatment of substance abuse. The underlying crime of child enticement also poses a severe threat to the mental and physical well-being of children.
3. SDG 5: Gender Equality: The targeting of an individual perceived to be an underage girl constitutes a form of gender-based violence. This case underscores the importance of SDG 5’s objective to eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including sexual exploitation.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The creation of safe and inclusive communities is a cornerstone of this goal. Criminal activities, particularly those targeting children, undermine community safety and trust. Law enforcement’s proactive measures contribute to making communities safer for all residents, especially the most vulnerable.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article primarily addresses issues connected to two Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: This is the most relevant SDG as the article centers on crime, law enforcement, and the judicial process. It details the commission of crimes (child enticement, attempted sexual assault), the response by a state institution (the Wausau police), and the subsequent legal proceedings (charges, bond, court hearings).
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: This SDG is relevant due to the drug-related offenses mentioned. The suspect was charged with possession and intent to deliver controlled substances and is accused of offering drugs to a minor. This connects to the SDG’s focus on preventing and treating substance abuse.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the article’s content, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
   • Explanation: The core of the criminal case involves crimes against a child. The charges of “Using a computer to facilitate a child sex crime,” “Child enticement,” and “Attempted 2nd degree sexual assault of a child under 16” are direct examples of the child abuse, exploitation, and violence that this target aims to eliminate. The police investigation was an “online child endangerment investigation” specifically designed to counter these threats.
2. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   • Explanation: The article illustrates the rule of law in action. It describes the process from investigation and arrest by the police to the formal charging of the suspect (“He is formally charged with…”). The mention of the suspect being held on a “$15,000 cash bond,” his court appearance, and the scheduling of a “preliminary hearing” and a “pre-trial conference” all demonstrate the functioning of the justice system to hold individuals accountable for their alleged crimes.
3. Target 3.5: Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol.
   • Explanation: The suspect faced charges for “Possession with the intent to deliver drugs,” “Possession of a controlled substance,” and “Possession of drug paraphernalia.” The article states that police “seized various amounts of mushrooms, LSD, and amphetamines” and that the suspect was “accused of offering this hypothetical minor drugs.” These elements highlight the problem of narcotic drug abuse and trafficking, which this target seeks to address through prevention and treatment.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article, as a news report on a single incident, does not explicitly mention official SDG indicators. However, it contains information that serves as qualitative data points or implies indicators used to measure progress:

• Implied Indicator for Target 16.2: The number of reported and prosecuted cases of child exploitation and violence. The detailed account of this specific case—from the online sting operation to the arrest and charges—represents one data point. An increase in such successful investigations and prosecutions could be an indicator of institutional capacity to protect children and combat exploitation, contributing to Indicator 16.2.2 (“Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age and form of exploitation”).
• Implied Indicator for Target 16.3: The rate of processing criminal cases through the justice system. The article’s timeline of the arrest, the court hearing, and the scheduling of future legal proceedings (preliminary hearing, pre-trial conference) demonstrates that the justice system is functioning. Data on the number of arrests made and cases brought to trial for serious crimes like these can serve as a proxy for measuring the promotion of the rule of law and access to justice, related to Indicator 16.3.1 (“Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized conflict resolution mechanisms”).
• Implied Indicator for Target 3.5: The number of arrests for drug trafficking and the quantity of illicit drugs seized. The article’s mention of the police seizing “mushrooms, LSD, and amphetamines” is a direct measure of law enforcement action against the supply of narcotic drugs. This type of data is often used to gauge the scale of the drug problem and the effectiveness of enforcement efforts aimed at prevention.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wsaw.com