Peter Schneider, 26, is a firefighter with the Sparta Area Fire District, a fire station in Sparta, Monroe County, Wisconsin, United States. He is also a former officer with the Ho-Chunk Police Department, which is based in Black Rivers Falls, Jackson County, Wisconsin.
While employed by the Sparta Area Fire District and the Ho-Chunk Police Department, Schneider allegedly requested naked photos from a teenager, 17, on several occasions. He also allegedly asked the teenager to go into a private area to have sexual contact.
It was the Sparta Area Fire District that first received information about the alleged crime. It reported the allegations to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office, which then notified the Ho-Chunk Police Department.
The Sparta Area Fire District placed Schneider on administrative leave pending the ongoing investigation with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office’s ongoing investigation. On the other hand, the Ho-Chunk Police Department relieved him from his duties.
On March 1, 2024, Monroe County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Schneider. He was charged with child enticement and solicitation of nude images from a child.
Schneider attended the bond hearing in Monroe County Court before Judge Mark Goodman. The judge ordered the former cop and firefighter be held on a $1,500 cash bond.
Sparta, Wisconsin
Located in Monroe County along the La Crosse River, Sparta is a picturesque city in western Wisconsin known globally as the Bicycling Capital of America. Incorporated in 1883, the city serves as the county seat and blends small-town Midwestern charm with rich industrial and recreational heritage.
Sparta earned its famous cycling title by developing the Elroy-Sparta State Trail in 1965. Built on an abandoned Chicago and North Western Railway corridor, it became the first rail-to-trail conversion in the United States. Spanning 32 miles, the trail features three historic, hand-carved stone railway tunnels that attract thousands of cyclists and outdoor enthusiasts every year. The city proudly celebrates this legacy at its downtown Visitor Center, home to Ben Bikin’, a iconic 32-foot-tall fiberglass high-wheel bicycle statue.
Beyond outdoor recreation, Sparta maintains a stable local economy supported by manufacturing, healthcare, and proximity to Fort McCoy, a major U.S. Army installations located just north of town. The city’s historic downtown district features well-preserved 19th-century architecture, vibrant local shops, and family-friendly parks.
CONAN Daily 