kevingamin Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 Curtis Schmidt, 67, was for decades known as the head of a historic West Bend business and a generous and "exemplary" family man. But court documents allege he was known among family members as a sexually abusive brother and uncle with an appetite for child pornography.He is charged with 20 counts of possessing child pornography and with soliciting sex online from a 13-year-old boy and distributing a video of a child engaging in sexual activity. James Danaher, Curtis Schmidt's lawyer, said he and his client declined to comment. Ken Schmidt, who for years operated Schmidt Funeral Home with his brother, sees Tuesday's charges against Curtis as a painful but necessary step toward dealing with the past, if not gaining closure. According to a criminal complaint filed Tuesday, agents with the state Division of Criminal Investigation last week searched Curtis Schmidt's home in West Bend and seized computer equipment and other materials containing child pornography and other sexually explicit materials. Roman Blenski, executive director of the Pioneer Drum and Bugle Corps in Milwaukee, said Wednesday that Curtis Schmidt and his family had been involved in the group since the early 1980s.The drum corps consists of teenagers and young adults, 15 to 21 years old. The group tours throughout the United States and has more than 100 members. Curtis Schmidt was a member of the group's board of directors for 10 years and a frequent volunteer when the group toured, Blenski said. "This has come as quite a shock. The whole family was kind of a family role model for all of us to emulate. I've been searching my mind and all the things we've been through, and I can't think of any indication that anything like this could have existed," Blenski said. "He was an exemplary family man," Blenski said of Curtis Schmidt. Milwaukee Journal Sentinal article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redmann Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 This is a sad day for the Pioneer family, but a great day for all the possible victims he can no longer reach. My hope is that we don't suddenly learn that he victimized members. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvbailey12 Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 (edited) I just hope that this "situation" does not hurt the Pioneer name. People have a way of overreacting to these situations. If there was any abuse while he was at Pioneer, I pray that there wasn't, and we don't know the whole story yet, I hope that people remember that it is the actions of a man not an organization. I do agree that this does give other victims, if the allegations are true, the chance to come out in the open and maybe get some piece of mind that they need. Please do not think that I am choosing either side. I am not. I just do not want the Pioneer name to be dragged through the mud. This does have the possibility, unfortunately, to hurt an organization, especially with membership and donations. Let's just hope that everyone keeps their heads on straight and remember like I said before, these are the actions of a man not an organziation. Edited December 30, 2005 by mvbailey12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCIAGEOUT Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 I hope Roman releases a statement on behalf of Pioneer, if anything, to head off any discouragement. I think some people need to be reminded that one persons mistake (a big one) does not give a full representation of what the orginization is about. I know pioneer has had their struggles, BUT that is where I have the upmost respect for them, mind you that I am not affiliated with this orginization and still feel this way. They are still around from previous mishaps and always will be as long as they have everyones support. God Speed Pioneer!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevingamin Posted December 30, 2005 Author Share Posted December 30, 2005 I hope Roman releases a statement on behalf of Pioneer, if anything, to head off any discouragement. I think some people need to be reminded that one persons mistake (a big one) does not give a full representation of what the orginization is about. I know pioneer has had their struggles, BUT that is where I have the upmost respect for them, mind you that I am not affiliated with this orginization and still feel this way. They are still around from previous mishaps and always will be as long as they have everyones support.God Speed Pioneer!!! That's actually why I included Roman's comments from the newspaper article. It's not an official statement but it is a public statement from him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Morgoth Bauglir Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 This is a sad day for the Pioneer family, but a great day for all the possible victims he can no longer reach.My hope is that we don't suddenly learn that he victimized members. My hope is that we refrain from passing judgement until he is, if he is, found guilty of the accusations in a court of law. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
felixh Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 I hope Roman releases a statement on behalf of Pioneer, if anything, to head off any discouragement. I think some people need to be reminded that one persons mistake (a big one) does not give a full representation of what the orginization is about. I know pioneer has had their struggles, BUT that is where I have the upmost respect for them, mind you that I am not affiliated with this orginization and still feel this way. They are still around from previous mishaps and always will be as long as they have everyones support.God Speed Pioneer!!! Agreed, this sort of thing can happen in any youth organization and these types of individuals are getting harder and harder to detect. It should remind us all of the importance of keeping open lines of communication with our children. I think Pioneer needs our moral support rather than criticism at this point. It is probably best that we do not engage in passing judgement on the accused until all the facts are in and he is deemed guilty or not guilty......all the best to Pioneer for a great year to come! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cwillpayne Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 I am not woried about the Pioneer organization. I have always respected them for their dedication to the safety and well being of yourng people. Ransom thought but if I remember correctly, I think that Roman actually encourages or requires that his members attend some form of worship on sunday mornings, and to resume rehearsal in the afternoon. Can anyone confirm that for me? I thought that was pretty interesting....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phillygwm Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 (edited) I hope Roman releases a statement on behalf of Pioneer, if anything, to head off any discouragement. I think some people need to be reminded that one persons mistake (a big one) does not give a full representation of what the orginization is about. I know pioneer has had their struggles, BUT that is where I have the upmost respect for them, mind you that I am not affiliated with this orginization and still feel this way. They are still around from previous mishaps and always will be as long as they have everyones support. Of course, this is a tragic story, but I wouldn't look negatively on Pioneer as a result of this. I assume they took all the usual precautions but, let's face it, pedophiles try to appear as upstanding citizens -- clergy, boy scout leaders, coaches -- so why would we expect drum corps to be unaffected? Parents need to have the tough conversation with their kids about predators before signing papers allowing them to join any activity. Sure, 99+% of the volunteers are great folks...but kids need to know how to handle those whose intentions are less than admirable. That is the parents' responsibility. Edited December 30, 2005 by Phillygwm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhantomR Posted December 30, 2005 Share Posted December 30, 2005 that sucks. ~>conner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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