Image sources: Robert Edward Gilkey-Meisegeier, via Dane County Sheriff’s Office. Sun Prairie West High School, via Facebook.
Robert Edward Gilkey-Meisegeier, the former dean of students at Sun Prairie West High School, is facing trial on 15 felony charges for child sexual exploitation and possession of child pornography involving six confirmed child victims. According to the Sun Prairie Police Department, “Some of the victims identified in this case are students at Sun Prairie West High School.”
His arrest has not only sparked widespread concern in the Sun Prairie community but also revealed serious failures by school officials who had received multiple warnings about his conduct and chose not to act.
The Charges and Allegations
Gilkey-Meisegeier, 30, of Madison, WI, was arrested on July 24, 2025. He has been charged with two counts of child sexual exploitation and 13 counts of possession of child pornography.
The criminal complaint outlines a disturbing pattern of manipulation, grooming, and abuse by Gilkey-Meisegeier. He is accused of engaging in inappropriate relationships with multiple students, including making sexual comments, communicating privately via text and social media, and providing alcohol in exchange for nude images. The complaint suggests he “had sexual contact with at least one student.” (Spectrum 1 News)
School District Fails to Act
The Sun Prairie Area School District had multiple opportunities to protect students.
According to the complaint, a witness stated that during the 2023–2024 school year, rumors circulated among students about an inappropriate relationship between Gilkey-Meisegeier and a student. The rumors were not investigated. When confronted, Gilkey-Meisegeier reportedly dismissed them as “bullshit.”
In spring 2025, the district received an anonymous tip that outlined clear grooming behaviors by Gilkey-Meisegeier toward a student. The report detailed private meetings in his office with the blinds closed, regular text message communication, gift-giving, transportation in his personal vehicle, and a sighting of the two together at Dunkin’ Donuts. The tipster warned that the student may have been manipulated and groomed to the point of not recognizing the conduct as inappropriate.
Gilkey-Meisegeier denied these allegations. He was told not to have one-on-one meetings with students and to keep his office door open during one-on-one meetings if they were absolutely necessary.
The anonymous tipster, identifying as a senior at Sun Prairie West, urged the administration to investigate thoroughly and promptly, warning that the school environment had become uncomfortable for many students and that the child’s well-being appeared to be at risk.
There was no formal investigation involving the tip, nor was there any documentation other than the email thread.
“The complaint was investigated by the school district human resources department, not reported to Dane County Human Services or the Sun Prairie Police Department, and was closed as unsubstantiated,” authorities reported.
According to the complaint, Witness 3 — who appeared to be a school staff member — learned of allegations involving a student and Gilkey-Meisegeier on May 29, 2025. The next day, instead of following mandatory reporting laws, Witness 3 went to his office and airdropped a video containing the allegations directly to his phone.
Investigation Begins
The criminal investigation began on May 29, 2025, when School Resource Officer Shamika Anderson with the Sun Prairie Police Department learned of allegations that a student had sexual contact with a former student. The next day, after reviewing a Snapchat recording, Anderson learned that the student was also alleged to have had sexual contact with staff at Sun Prairie West High School and confirmed that Gilkey-Meisegeier was among those named.
Case Moves To Trial
On August 5, 2025, Judge Rhonda Lanford ruled that there was sufficient evidence for the case to move forward to trial. She determined that all 15 felony charges—including 13 counts of child pornography and two counts of child sexual exploitation—are related and will proceed together in a consolidated trial.
Gilkey-Meisegeier’s arraignment is scheduled for September 2, 2025.
Community Demands Accountability
Following the arrest, parents and community members gathered at a July 28 school board meeting to demand change. Parent Justin Smith spoke on behalf of many families, telling the school board the situation represented a “systematic failure” and calling for immediate accountability to ensure safe schools. He emphasized that the harm could have been prevented if school officials had “just done the job they promised to do.” (Channel 3000)
Parent and former school board member Lisa Goldsberry questioned how many students were affected because the principal failed to forward the information to authorities. Smith added, “They’re mandated reporters, and we shouldn’t have to push them to do their ethical jobs.” (Channel 3000)
He also “said there were at least four formal complaints made during the 2024-25 school year that were directly related to the recent allegations and arrest.” (Spectrum News 1)
Smith has created a formal petition calling for the resignation or termination of six school officials, including Superintendent Brad Saron and Principal Jen Ploeger. It accuses district leadership of creating a “suffocating culture of fear,” ignoring multiple formal complaints, shielding and protecting Gilkey-Meisegeier, and failing to meet mandated reporting obligations. These collective actions have eroded community trust.
The petition urges a change in leadership to restore safety and accountability in the schools.
Petition from October 2021
Concerns about how the Sun Prairie Area School District handles sexual misconduct allegations are not new. In October 2021, a community petition called on the school board to increase sexual assault awareness efforts.
Those calls appear to have gone largely unheeded — and now, in the wake of Gilkey-Meisegeier’s arrest, parents are once again demanding accountability.
What Survivors and Families Need to Know
Under Wisconsin law, all school employees and administrators are required to report suspected child abuse. The failure to report reasonable suspicion of child abuse, combined with the district’s decision to retain Gilkey-Meisegeier in his role despite multiple complaints, may expose the Sun Prairie Area School District to civil liability.
Adding to these concerns, Gilkey-Meisegeier did not hold an active teaching license while serving as the dean of students. “He applied for one in April 2024, but didn’t complete the necessary steps for a background check.” (Spectrum News 1)
The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) notified both him and the district, yet neither provided the information needed to advance the application.
Teaching licensure is not just a formality — it requires background checks, mandated reporter training, and adherence to professional conduct standards. By keeping an unlicensed individual in a high-level role with direct authority over students, the district may have bypassed yet another critical safeguard intended to protect children.
Know Your Rights
If you or someone you love was harmed by Robert Gilkey-Meisegeier or experienced abuse while attending Sun Prairie West High School, legal options may be available.
You may be entitled to seek justice through a civil lawsuit against the institution that failed to protect you.
At Andreozzi + Foote, we represent survivors of school sexual abuse and institutional negligence nationwide. We are here to listen and to help you understand your rights in a safe, respectful, and confidential setting.
You are not alone. You have a voice. And you deserve to be heard.
Contact us today to discuss your options with a trauma-informed attorney.
