APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A former Appleton teacher was sentenced Tuesday to six months in jail for having an inappropriate online relationship with a student.
Brian Dimmer, 47, previously was convicted of two counts, including causing a child ages 13-18 to view sexual activity, and soliciting an intimate representation from a minor.
Dimmer will have to register as a sex offender. He was also placed on probation for the maximum term of three years. He cannot have any contact with anyone under the age of 18, including relatives, without permission. Dimmer’s access to a computer and cell phone will be monitored by his probation agent. Also, another 18 months of jail time was stayed but would be served if he violates any of the conditions set by the court.
Before the sentence was issued, Dimmer apologized to the victim, his wife, and his family.
“There are no excuses for my actions. I understand my behavior comes with consequences. I hope to become a productive and positive member of society without any further incidences,” he told the court.
Judge Mark McGinnis said prison was not appropriate in this case, saying he believed Dimmer would leave prison as a higher risk to re-offend than he is now. Rather, the sentence was structured to make sure Dimmer is supervised while protecting the public, he said.
According to the criminal complaint, Dimmer started sending sexually explicit messages to an eighth-grade student. He asked for explicit photos of the girl, and exposed himself during video chats.
There were no allegations of inappropriate physical contact between the two.
Dimmer was a teacher at Wilson Middle School and coach at Appleton West High School until he resigned his position.
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