CF man charged with child enticement of two 10-year-olds

CHIPPEWA FALLS — A Chippewa Falls man accused of approaching two children, asking them to play with each other and then tried to lure them to a different area to play with them, has been charged.

Michael C. Buttke, 32, 8986 Highway 124, was charged Thursday in Chippewa County Court with two counts of child enticement-sexual contact, three counts of disorderly conduct, and one count of bail jumping. Judge Steve Gibbs ordered Buttke to be held on a $5,000 cash bond. If Buttke is released, he cannot have any contact with juveniles or city parks, or any areas frequently visited by youths. He also was ordered to take his medication.

Gibbs set a return court date for Sept. 3

According to the criminal complaint, Buttke approached the two children on Aug. 22 at Marshall Park, where the Bernard Willi Municipal Pool is located.

“Mr. Buttke asked them to perform sit-ups, and offered them $500 if they would “jumper cable” each other,” the complaint reads. “(The children) declined the request. Mr. Buttke then provided them a rope and asked them to play tug of war with him. The victims stated that Mr. Buttke asked (them), each independently, and then together, if they would walk with him to another area, pointing to an area of brush that was secluded by the creek.”

Both children declined to go.

The victims “said the incident was weird, and that they felt uncomfortable during the incident.”

This is the second incident involving Buttke this month. On Aug. 12, police interviewed a 14-year-old girl about an incident that occurred behind a bar in the city.

“Buttke offered her $20.00 to go to the ground, and once on the ground, Mr. Buttke crossed his legs over hers,” the complaint reads. “(The girl) stated that Mr. Buttke then proceeded to tickle (her) armpits, and feet. (She) stated that Mr. Buttke also lifted her shirt and tickled her stomach.”

The girl’s mother reported Buttke had previously touched the girl.

Buttke is out on bond in an Eau Claire County case, where he is charged with making threats to an officer and disorderly conduct. He returns to that court on Sept. 18.