Wausau paramedic who sexually assaulted patient in ambulance to spend 1 year in jail

WAUSAU – The former Wausau paramedic who sexually assaulted a 29-year-old woman in the back of an ambulance in 2017 will spend one year in the Marathon County Jail. 

Before handing down the sentence for Clifford J. Heiser, 35, Marathon County Circuit Judge Gregory Huber said Heiser violated the community's trust in first responders by assaulting a vulnerable patient.

Huber sentenced Heiser to four years of probation, with one year to be served in jail with work release. The judge also stayed a three-year prison sentence, meaning if Heiser complies with his probation, he will not go to prison. Heiser must also register as a sex offender for 15 years and pay restitution for the victim's counseling services. 

Heiser faced up to 8½ years in prison. 

RELATED: Former Wausau paramedic found guilty of sexually assaulting woman in ambulance

Heiser, of Wausau, pleaded no contest in September to two counts each of fourth-degree sexual assault and misconduct in office.

Heiser sexually assaulted the victim in September 2017 while she was in the back of an ambulance outside her home. The woman told investigators a male paramedic touched her genitals and sucked on her breast. Wausau police arrested Heiser after his saliva was found on the woman's breast, according to a criminal complaint. 

The Wausau Daily Herald does not name victims of sexual assault without their consent.

The Wausau Fire Department put Heiser on administrative leave when the investigation began in 2017, and he resigned shortly after.

Heiser denied sexually assaulting the woman and said he only took a plea deal because he was running out of money to pay for his lawyer, Marathon County District Attorney Theresa Wetzsteon said Tuesday.

Heiser claimed his DNA must have gotten on the woman's body from touching his mouth with his gloved hand then touching the victim or by drooling on the victim. Wetzsteon said the victim was wearing a crew neck T-shirt and leggings the whole time, so Heiser's explanation was not possible. 

Wetzsteon said Heiser assaulted the victim in the short time he was alone with her in the back of the ambulance. He moved her clothes and underwear to the side so he could touch her, Wetzsteon said. 

"The defendant has failed to accept responsibility," Wetzsteon said, adding his actions have impacted the entire Wausau community and reflected negatively on the reputation of first responders. 

The victim said she has been waiting for justice and "living in darkness" for 805 days since Heiser assaulted her on Sept. 12, 2017. She asked Huber to sentence Heiser to the maximum amount of time in prison. 

"For 805 days, this man has been free to continue to live his life while I have been forced to live with the memories of the day this man (Heiser) sexually assaulted me, forcing me to be his victim," she said. "Those memories torment me both mentally and emotionally every single day."

After the sexual assault, the victim said she did not feel safe living alone in her home with her 5-year-old son because Heiser knew where she lived and was out on a $2,500 cash bail. So, she decided to move away from the community she grew up in, leaving behind the first home she ever owned, her well-paying job and her therapist. 

"I don't believe I will ever truly feel safe in a world where I cannot trust the men and women who have sworn to serve and protect us," the woman said. 

Contact Natalie Brophy at (715) 216-5452 or nbrophy@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @brophy_natalie or Facebook at facebook.com/bynataliebrophy.