Madison Diocese brother sentenced to two years in prison for sexual abuse of minor
MADISON – A brother from the Madison Catholic Diocese was sentenced Wednesday to two years in prison and three years of extended supervision for having sexual contact with a 17-year-old he met in a Bible study he led at a DeForest church last year.
Rajnal "Reggie" Rehmat, 31, was convicted of child enticement for incidents that occurred between Sept. 5 and Oct. 1. An additional charge of sexual assault of a child by a person who works with or volunteers with children was dismissed but read into the record.
Rehmat will also be required to register as a sex offender.
In a tearful statement before the judge Wednesday, Rehmat said he was "so ashamed of his poor choice" and asked for forgiveness from the victim and their family.
The victim also submitted a statement, but it was sealed by Dane County Circuit Court Judge Nicholas McNamara.
Rehmat received 124 days of sentence credit for the time he served while awaiting his sentencing.
The incidents between Rehmat and the minor occurred in both in Dane County and Milwaukee County, during a visit to see the Basilica of Saint Josaphat. According to the complaint, Rehmat knew the victim was a minor and that "he should not get involved or close with minors, including 'no touching.'"
In addition to meeting in person, Rehmat also messaged the victim using WhatsApp.
More: Madison Diocese brother charged with sexual abuse of minor
The Diocese acknowledged in a statement last year that it received information about an allegation against Rehmat on Nov. 27. The diocese contacted law enforcement and placed Rehmat on administrative leave.
Rehmat is no longer enrolled in any seminary classes, nor is he allowed to reside, work, visit or volunteer at any parish, school, church facility or diocese property.
Rehmat's charging comes as Attorney General Josh Kaul has launched an inquiry into abuse within the Catholic church and other religious denominations in Wisconsin.
Since launching the investigation, 200 reports have been made to the Department of Justice, including 150 individuals accused and 51 people reporting an instance of abuse for the first time. Two reports were forwarded to local law enforcement and charged: 33-year-old Remington Jon Nystrom in Waushara County for an incident that occurred in 2019 and 61-year-old Jeffrey Anthony Charles in Douglas County for incidents that occurred between 2005 and 2010.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice was not involved in Rehmat's case.
How to file a report with the Department of Justice
To file a report, call 877-222-2620 or use the online reporting tool at supportsurvivors.widoj.gov. Both options provide the ability to file an anonymous tip.
Laura Schulte can be reached at leschulte@jrn.com and on Twitter at @SchulteLaura.
Our subscribers make this reporting possible. Please consider supporting local journalism by subscribing to the Journal Sentinel at jsonline.com/deal.
DOWNLOAD THE APP: Get the latest news, sports and more
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Madison Diocese brother sentenced to prison for sexual abuse of minor
