APPLETON (NBC 26) — Appleton Police said investigators have arrested a De Pere man late Friday following a sexual assault investigation.
Police said Gregory A. Sawyer was arrested Friday for one count of second-degree sexual assault of a child. Sawyer was confined at the Calumet County Jail.
Appleton Police said the arrest was a result of an extensive investigation that began after a victim came forward with decades-old allegations involving Sawyer. Police said the department is notifying the public of this arrest due to Sawyer’s proximity to young people in the community as an educator for the Green Bay Area Public School District.
A representative with the school district said he is on unpaid administrative leave. The district released the following statement:
On Friday, September 17, the Green Bay Area Public School District (GBAPS) was informed that West High School teacher Greg Sawyer was taken into custody by the Appleton Police Department for an allegation of sexual assault of a child that allegedly occurred in 1997. GBAPS has placed Mr. Sawyer on unpaid administrative leave.
Mr. Sawyer joined GBAPS in 1998, where he worked briefly at East High School and Southwest High School, prior to serving as a science teacher at West High School.
If anyone has additional information related to the allegations, or new information that should be shared with law enforcement, they should contact Detective David Graf at the Green Bay Police Department. He can be reached at 920-448-3200.
GBAPS will be providing additional student services support for students.
Since this is a personnel matter and the charges are unrelated to GBAPS, no further statements or comments will be provided.
Appleton Police said the investigation is ongoing and involves multiple jurisdictions. At this time, police said investigators haven't identified any additional victims. Those with information related to this case are asked to contact Investigator Meyer at the Appleton Police Department at 920-832-5934.
For anyone who has been affected by sexual abuse, resources are available. The Sexual Assault Crisis Center has a 24-hour hotline, 920-733-8119, or online at https://sacc-foxcities.org/.
