Former Winnetka teacher arrested in sexual assault probe

Steve Schering

Police in Michigan announced they have arrested former Winnetka Public Schools teacher and Boy Scout leader William Hartwell Bricker in connection with an investigation into the alleged sexual assault of two minors, which took place decades ago in Wyoming.

Bricker, 94, was arrested at a rehab center in Michigan on Sept. 23 by the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office, and remains held in the Grand Traverse County Jail, police said.

The arrest was made in conjunction with the Teton County Sheriff’s Office in Wyoming.

“Our Teton County Sheriff’s Office requested deputies in Grand Traverse County, Michigan to locate and arrest a suspect and that did occur,” said Teton County Public Information Officer Charlotte Reynolds. “Our Sheriff’s Office requested an arrest, and the Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office worked with us on locating the suspect and arresting him. We do not yet know about an extradition here to Teton County, as far as when that might happen.”

The Grand Traverse County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Bricker was arrested Sept. 23, and had a video arraignment Sept. 25. He is being held without bond while he awaits extradition to Wyoming.

According to a Teton County Sheriff’s press release, Bricker faces one count of immoral acts with a child and one count of immoral or indecent acts.

In February, the Teton Sheriff’s Office began an investigation after the Boy Scouts of America contacted the office with allegations of sexual assault against Bricker, which allegedly took place at the Teton Valley Ranch Camp in Wyoming.

According to documents filed Sept. 22 in the Ninth Judicial Circuit Court in Teton County, Bricker is being accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old boy in the summer of 1962. The documents also allege a second sexual assault of a boy occurred at the same camp in 1985.

According to court records, Bricker served as a “live-in counselor” in 1985, sharing his cabin with “9 to 11 other kids” that summer.

Court documents state Bricker worked with children for more than 50 years.

The Winnetka Public Schools confirmed Bricker was employed as a physical education teacher at Hubbard Woods School from 1949 to 1985.

Recently, the Winnetka Public Schools was contacted by law enforcement agencies in Wyoming, who requested records from the school district related to the investigation.

“The Winnetka Public Schools District 36 will continue to cooperate and respond to any further inquiries associated with this matter,” Superintendent Trisha Kocanda said in a release, noting District 36 conducts criminal background checks as part of its pre-employment process.