BROWN COUNTY (NBC 26) — An area youth tennis coach has been charged with multiple felony crimes against children.
40-year-old Joshua Denault was held in jail on charges that include child enticement and child sexual exploitation.
Denault made his initial appearance in court Friday at 2 p.m.
According to the criminal complaint, he took videos of underage girls during training sessions at Four Seasons Tennis Club in Allouez.
In the complaint police referred to these as up-skirt and up-shirt videos.
Investigators say they found around 36 videos and Denault may have taken them over several years.
The Sheriff's Office says several potential victims of the tennis coach have come forward recently.
Prosecutors say around 35 individual victims are anticipated
"We spend a lot of time and money to work on being able to be getting to electronic devices, phones, computers, things of that nature so we can get that evidence out," Brown county sheriff's captain, David Poteat, said.
A judge ordered a cash bond of $75,000 and no contact with anyone under the age of 18.
Denault's attorney argued unsuccessfully for a lower bond between $15,000 and $20,000 dollars and called the charges against Denault "disingenuous".
"I have talked to that alleged victim who has advised to me and to law enforcement she's not a victim," Defense attorney, Thomas Walsh, said. "She wants nothing to do with this case."
The sheriff's office says they received information earlier this month regarding potentially inappropriate conduct by an area tennis coach.
"This is an active sensitive investigation involving a growing number of young victims," the sheriff's office said in the release. "As always, the safety and well-being of children in our community remains a top priority. Please take time to speak with your children about their activities and the people they have contact with. Foster open and honest communications with your children and commit to being an advocate for their safety."
"We appreciate the continued support and partnership of our community as we work to uphold public safety and justice," deputies added.
Western Racquet & Fitness, which owns Four Seasons, released a statement Friday afternoon in response to the incident.
"On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, Western Racquet & Fitness Club was informed by an Investigator from the Brown County Sheriff's Department of an incident that was reported by a youth tennis program participant," the statement reads. "The incident occurred during the week of May 6th. The employee that was involved has been terminated. Western has been fully cooperating with law enforcement as part of its ongoing investigation."
The Brown county sheriff's office reminds parents to have open conversations with their children about the activities they're involved in and the people they come in contact with.
Denault's next court appearance is on May 31.
Anyone with information related to this case is asked to contact Sgt. Matthew Wilson at (920) 448-6192.
