Photo by The Statehouse File Former Franklin College president Thomas Minar is shown in a Wisconsin courtroom on Thursday.
STURGEON BAY, Wisconsin — After two years of prolonged legal battles, former Franklin College President Thomas Minar pleaded “no contest” to child enticement and possession of child pornography charges. Minar’s bond was revoked, and he now awaits sentencing while being housed in the Door County Jail.
Minar, 58, appeared at his plea hearing Thursday at the Door County Justice Center with his husband, Frank Becker. Minar gave his husband a long embrace before being ushered to the jail door, where he stopped and told his husband he loved him.
Judge David Weber asked Minar several times if he understood his rights and what it means to plead no contest, which has Minar accepting his conviction but not guilt. He responded to the judge with a choked up, “Yes, sir.”
“The court finds the defendant guilty,” Weber said. “I could impose the maximum penalties if I chose.”
Sentencing will be 2:30 p.m. June 6, where District Attorney Colleen Nordin will present her joint offer of seven years in prison and seven years of extended supervision. Weber said if Minar violates extended supervision, he may have to spend the entirety of his sentence in confinement. The judge asked Minar’s defense team to get any final documents to the court by May 31.
Brett Reetz, Minar’s local attorney, said they will be asking for less time than the mandatory minimum. Nordin said if they ask for less, then she will ask for more time.
“If you’re going to make my life a little easier and join me on this recommendation, I’ll ask for seven,” Nordin said. “But since I won’t get a guarantee of seven, I’m going to fight a little harder.”
Minar’s defense team filed a motion for him to await sentencing at home, which Weber denied. Nordin asked for Minar’s bail to be revoked because she believes he is more likely to flee knowing he is facing guaranteed prison time.
“Prison is a reality,” Nordin said.
The close-knit Franklin College community was shaken by the news of Minar’s arrest in 2020. The college said in a statement it has continued its mission despite the tragedy it has faced.
“Since Thomas Minar’s termination more than two years ago, Franklin College has maintained its focus on delivering the quality education that leads to the personal and academic success of our students,” it said. “Franklin is thriving from every perspective as we continue to prepare our students for productive careers and fulfilling lives.”
Minar was arrested Jan. 6, 2020, by Sturgeon Bay police, who tracked him to a McDonald’s after conducting an undercover investigation on the dating app Grindr. Law enforcement alleges that chat records from Grindr show Minar planned to meet with a 15-year-old child.
The police department obtained a warrant to search Minar’s cell phone to see the Grindr chats and found child pornography.
Minar has a total of 15 charges, with 12 counts of possession of child pornography, using a computer to facilitate a sex crime, child enticement, and exposing a child to harmful narrations.
Minar was released from custody on a $7,500 bail bond posted by his husband, and they have lived in their home in Illinois. He was not allowed to use any social media or have unmonitored interactions with minors while awaiting the results of the case.
“Dr. Minar took responsibility for his actions. He has taken extraordinary steps in terms of recovery and counseling,” Reetz said.
After sentencing, Minar will most likely start serving his time in Dodge Correctional Institution in Waupun, Wisconsin, and could be moved to Oshkosh Correctional Institution.
