Marine recruiter faces assault charges: Sergeant accused of sexually assaulting several teenage girls; released on $15,000 bond

Herald Times Reporter
May. 19, 2006

MANITOWOC — The arrest of a Marine Corps recruiter on sexual assault charges shocked a neighbor who said she considered him "a nice guy."

Jennifer Schultz, who lives in the 1700 block of Meadow Brook Drive, described Sgt. Donny Rage, 29, as "very quiet" and "not the type of guy who would do that."

"This is a big shock to me," Schultz said Thursday. Her apartment is downstairs from Rage's.

Rage faces charges of third-degree sexual assault and false imprisonment after allegedly using his position to meet girls between 16 and 18 years old and sexually assault them.

He was arrested on Wednesday after a 16-year-old girl contacted the Manitowoc County Sheriff's Department last week, Inspector Robert Hermann said.

On Thursday, Manitowoc County Circuit Court Commissioner Patricia Koppa set a $15,000 signature bond and ordered Rage to not have contact with anyone under 18.

Manitowoc County Assistant District Attorney Doug Jones said he had no objection to a signature bond.

Marine Staff Sgt. Sharon Hemmrich, based in Milwaukee, said Rage is on paid suspension until the sheriff's department and the Marines conclude their investigations.

Marine Capt. Troy Klabo, who is investigating the claims, said the accusations are taken "very seriously."

"We're concerned with any misconduct," he said.

Hemmrich said the Marine Corps "will provide everything we can to support (the Sheriff's Department) in anything they need."

Rage was asked to come to the Sheriff's Department on Wednesday to discuss allegations of "inappropriate contact with multiple victims" and was arrested without incident, Hermann said.

"He seemed very calm and cool about everything," Hermann said.

Rage has been in the Marines since May 1996 and has been recruiting in Manitowoc County for about nine months, Hemmrich said.

Rage was last stationed at the Marine Corps Recruiting Depot at Paris Island, S.C., according to Hemmrich. She didn't know how long he had been stationed there, but said most assignments are for three years.

Hemmrich is not aware of any prior disciplinary action against Rage, who has no prior criminal record in Wisconsin.

Laura Dewane, Rage's apartment manager, described Rage as quiet and very friendly. She said she has never had any problems with him as a tenant.

"He kept to himself," she said.

Hemmrich said a Marine recruiter will be assigned to the office at 902 S. Eighth St., Manitowoc, but she didn't know when that office will be staffed.

Rage, who appeared without an attorney Thursday, will appear in Manitowoc County Circuit Court on June 12.

Hermann said there may be other victims in this case and asks anyone with information to call the Sheriff's Department at 920-683-4201.