Arrest warrant issued after accused child sex offender skips court

By Brandi Makuski

Portage Co. Circuit Court Judge Thomas Eagon issued an arrest warrant for an accused sex offender after the defendant was a no-show at his Monday court appearance.

Drew Degeest, 34, was arrested last summer after police cast a wide net for his whereabouts following accusations he may have been involved in sexually assaulting a child. Based on a tip to police, Degeest was arrested in Pierce Co. after about two weeks on the run.

Degeest was charged in February on charges of incest and sexual assault of a child under 16. Each carry a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison.

According to the criminal complaint, the victim, a 14-year-old girl, was raped in a Plover park by Degeest after the two had dinner at a local fast food restaurant.

The girl told police she remembers waking up half-naked in a local park next to Degeest, who was completely nude, but she told investigators she blacked out during most of the attack.

Degeest reportedly sent text messages to the girl later indicating he wanted to have sex with her again.

Degeest is known to have ties to Stevens Point and Plover as well as Wisconsin Rapids and Nekoosa. His last known address is 2921 48th St. South #B in Wisconsin Rapids.

He’s described as 5 feet and 9 inches tall, weighing 205 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes.

Degeest has a violent history with multiple convictions for battery. Anyone with information on Degeest’s whereabouts should contact Portage Co. dispatchers at (715) 346-1400, Portage County Crimestoppers at 1-888-346-6600 or 911.