ATTORNEY GENERAL J.B. VAN HOLLEN ANNOUNCES DOJ FILES PETITION UNDER CHAPTER 980 TO COMMIT CHRISTOPHER J. SEELEY TO TREATMENT

MADISON - Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced today that the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed a petition under the state's sexual predator law against an Eau Claire County man. 

The petition was filed in Eau Claire County Circuit Court February 23, 2007.  It alleges that Christopher J. Seeley (DOB 07/05/1974) is a sexually violent person and should be committed for treatment.  A probable cause hearing is currently scheduled for March 12, 2007, before Judge Eric J. Wahl.

Chapter 980 of the Wisconsin Statues relates to the control, care and treatment of sexually violent persons. Under Wisconsin law, a person may be subject to a civil commitment when the person has been convicted of a sexually violent offense, has a mental disorder, and is dangerous to others because the mental disorder makes it likely he or she will commit further acts of sexual violence.  A civil commitment is defined in Wisconsin law as commitment to the custody and care of the Department of Health and Family Services for control, care and treatment until the person is no longer considered sexually violent.

According to the DOJ petition, Christopher J. Seeley was convicted of Attempted Third Degree Sexual Assault in Eau Claire County Case No. 03-CF-609 in 2005 and was sentenced to a one year term of initial confinement followed by a four year term of extended supervision.  The sentence pronounced in 03-CF-609 was to be served consecutively to a previous sentence for a separate conviction for Third Degree Sexual Assault in Eau Claire County Case No. 99-CF-209.  Seeley was scheduled for release from the Oshkosh Correctional Institution on February 27, 2007, but has been detained and transferred to the custody of the Department of Health and Family Services pending further proceedings.

The state's petition alleges that Seeley suffers from mental conditions that predispose him to engage in acts of sexual violence.  The petition also alleges that Seeley is dangerous as his mental disorders make it likely that he will engage in future acts of sexual violence.

Assistant Attorney General Michael G. Schaefer represents the state in this case.