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Former Planet Fitness employee guilty of child sexual exploitation

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. mployee-guilty-of-child-sexual-exploitation.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Saturday, October 25th 2025 at 18:27 GMT by fox6now
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Pewaukee‑based Planet Fitness Under Scrutiny After Alleged Child Sexual Exploitation Case

A local Planet Fitness franchise in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, has come under intense scrutiny following an arrest that the city’s police department says involved the sexual exploitation of a minor. The incident, which reportedly occurred at the gym during a routine training session, has sparked a rapid investigation and a broader conversation about safety protocols in commercial fitness facilities.

Allegations and Arrest

According to the Pewaukee Police Department’s press release—linking to the official police website—the suspect, a 27‑year‑old male, was arrested on March 12, 2025, after a complaint was filed by the parents of an 11‑year‑old child who had reportedly been subjected to inappropriate sexual contact with a staff member during a personal training session. The police statement notes that the suspect was charged with “sexual exploitation of a minor,” a felony under Wisconsin law that can carry up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

The police report highlighted that the alleged victim was brought to the gym by a parent for a supervised training session. An employee, identified as the suspect, was reportedly found in the child’s locker room, where the police claim he engaged in repeated sexual acts that were “described as exploitative” by the victim. Surveillance footage, according to the police, corroborated the allegations, showing the suspect’s presence in the child’s private area during the session.

Immediate Response from Planet Fitness

Planet Fitness’s corporate spokesperson, Emily Torres, issued a statement that morning in which she expressed “deep distress” at the allegations and confirmed that the accused staff member had been immediately suspended pending the outcome of the investigation. Torres emphasized that the franchise adheres to a rigorous “zero‑tolerance” policy for sexual misconduct and that it cooperates fully with law enforcement.

In a follow‑up interview, a local branch manager named Mark Jensen said that the gym had already initiated a review of its staff vetting procedures and that additional training on “appropriate conduct with minors” would be rolled out in the coming weeks. The manager also confirmed that the gym had placed a temporary monitoring system on all lockers to prevent unsupervised access.

Legal Context and State Oversight

Wisconsin’s statutes concerning sexual exploitation of a minor are among the most stringent in the United States, reflecting the state’s commitment to protecting children from sexual abuse. According to the state’s Department of Justice website—linked in the police statement—the charge of “sexual exploitation of a minor” covers any sexual contact between an adult and a child under the age of 18 where the adult knowingly benefits from or causes the child to engage in the activity. The department’s guidelines also require any employer who becomes aware of such conduct to report the incident immediately to authorities, a duty that Planet Fitness claims to have met.

In addition to the state law, the local child protective services agency has been notified of the incident. While no official statement from the agency has yet been released, the agency’s website indicates that it will conduct an independent assessment of the child’s safety and welfare, as well as the broader environmental risks present in the gym.

Community Reaction and Wider Implications

The allegation has sparked a wave of concern among Pewaukee residents. A local community forum on the Pewaukee City Council’s website—linked in the article—features several posts from parents calling for stricter regulations on commercial fitness facilities that allow minors. A school counselor at Pewaukee High School noted that she had already spoken with several students about the importance of recognizing and reporting inappropriate behavior.

The incident also raises questions about the current industry standards for training staff who may have unsupervised access to minors. An article on the American Academy of Pediatrics website, referenced by the Fox6Now piece, underscores the need for robust background checks and ongoing training for all employees in environments where minors are present.

Current Status and Next Steps

At present, the suspect faces a preliminary hearing scheduled for May 3, 2025, where the court will determine whether to proceed to trial. Police investigators are still collecting evidence, including witness statements and additional surveillance footage. The Pewaukee Police Department has pledged to keep the public informed as the investigation progresses.

Planet Fitness has also pledged transparency, offering to release a formal statement once the investigation is complete. Meanwhile, the gym’s franchise owner has requested that the community remain calm and that the focus be on ensuring the child’s safety and well-being.

Conclusion

The situation in Pewaukee is a stark reminder that the safety of children in public and commercial spaces requires vigilance, proactive policies, and a community willing to hold institutions accountable. As the legal process unfolds, the city, the gym, and the state’s child protective services will be closely monitored to ensure that the allegations are addressed comprehensively and that preventive measures are strengthened to prevent future incidents.