Village fires police chief accused of sexually assaulting boys

WHEELER, Wis. — A Dunn County village has fired its police chief who’s accused of sexually assaulting two boys.

Wheeler Police Chief Gary Wayerski is in jail on 14 felony counts of sex-related crimes against the boys he was mentoring. The 56-year-old Wayerski has pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect.

The Chippewa Herald says Wayerski has not yet been tried on the charges, but the village attorney, Adam Jarchow, says the chief’s failure to cooperate with the police committee’s investigation is reason enough for his termination.

Wayerski’s attorney, Lester Liptak, did not immediately return a call seeking comment.