Former Oak Creek teacher, coach accused of having sex with 15-year-old student pleads guilty

OAK CREEK -- The former Oak Creek teacher and coach charged with sexual assault on Friday, Jan. 26 pleaded guilty to second degree sexual assault of a child.

In exchange for his plea, prosecutors will ask for a sentence of 12 years in prison and 12 more years of extended supervision. Jossie would also be a registered sex offender for the rest of his life.

Jossie’s sentencing was set for April 20.

Despite the plea agreement, the judge is not bound to the recommended sentence. The maximum sentence for this charge is 40 years in prison.

According to a criminal complaint, on Oct. 9, police said a female worker at the school unlocked a classroom. Inside, she discovered Jossie and a 15-year-old girl sitting on a counter with the girl's shirt up, exposing the girl's torso. Jossie was observed standing in front of the girl. The maintenance worker reported that when Jossie saw her enter the room, he "quickly pulled open a cabinet that was above his head and told the student to get her homework done."

Oak Creek High School

Oak Creek High School

"The principal then went to the room and basically confronted the teacher and student at that point," said Chief Steven Anderson, Oak Creek Police Department.

"We're shocked and we're sickened to learn that Oak Creek High School teacher Michael Jossie was charged with two counts of second-degree sexual assault of a child," said Superintendent Timothy Culver after these allegations came to light. "We're shocked because the misconduct with which Mr. Jossie is charged is inconsistent with his reputation."

Michael Jossie

Prosecutors say the Jossie and the 15-year-old student had a close relationship for about a year. Jossie told police he realized his feelings for her when he took her to dinner at an expensive restaurant. Jossie stated to investigators he had, "more feelings than you are supposed to have as a teacher" for a student.

The complaint says the student told investigators they had sexual encounters 10 times. Jossie told investigators they had sex in August at the La Quinta in New Berlin, and in October. He said they had sex inside his classroom and office this fall, most recently on Oct. 4.

According to the criminal complaint, after one sexual encounter, Jossie told police he gave the student $70 to buy the morning after pill.

Steven Anderson

"This was a very well-respected coach, authoritative figure in our community. I think there's a lot of parents and students who are in shock over this right now," said Chief Anderson.

Jossie has been in the Oak Creek School District since 2010. He was placed on unpaid leave, and the district asked that he be fired.

After the police investigation discovered incidents at a hotel in New Berlin, police on Oct. 12 picked up Jossie again and brought him to the Waukesha County jail for possible charges. This, after he posted his $25,000 bail in the Milwaukee County case.