20-Year-old Wisconsin Man Accused of Sexual Assault
Now facing 2 counts of sexual assault, this isn’t the first time 20-year-old Cody Tanke of La Crosse, Wisconsin has had a face off with a judge. The last time he stood before a judge was for faking his own kidnapping. That time, the judge allowed him to plead guilty to a lesser offense. This time Cody may not be so lucky.
On June 25th, Cody Tanke came walking up to the Alpine Inn claiming he had been beaten and held in a truck for four days. The day before, someone had called Tanke’s father threatening to that he would kill his son if his father didn’t deliver $30,000 within an hour.
It wasn’t long before Cody admitted to being behind the entire kidnapping operation. Luckily, the prosecutor recommended that he plead guilty to a less offense and be put on probation. Tanke then plead guilty to resisting arrest and went on probation.
The LaCrosse Tribune reported Judge Scott Horne saying,
The disposition you’re receiving today is a generous one,” Horne said at the Aug. 13 sentencing. “I hope you appreciate the break you’re getting.”
Cody is now being accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old days later after being placed on probation. According to reports, Tanke took the girl to the Maple Grove Motel and assaulted her twice along with friend Arden Blumer.
Depending on what actually happened in that hotel room, Cody could now be facing 15 years in prison.
We all make mistakes in our early 20s. Typically your early 20s is seen as a time of exploration. However, most of our mistakes would not put us away for 15 years. If someone you know and love is facing the consequences of their own mistake and is facing a serious charge like sexual assault, please have them call my office for assistance.
248-348-7400 or 586-530-1000