Weston teen whose low bails sparked controversy gets 12 years for child sexual assault

Natalie Brophy
Wausau Daily Herald
Colton Braderry

WAUSAU –  A Weston teen accused of sexually assaulting two children and beating a 15-year-old while out on signature bonds or low cash bails will spend 12 years in prison.

Marathon County Circuit Judge LaMont Jacobson sentenced Colton J. Bradberry, 19, to 12 years in prison, followed by 12 years of extended supervision. Bradberry also must register as a sex offender for life and pay restitution to one of his victims. 

Bradberry, who sat next to his lawyer, Julie Sawyer, in an orange jail jumpsuit, cried as Jacobson sentenced him. 

In September, Bradberry pleaded no contest to first-degree child sexual assault, sex with a child 16 or older, child abuse and two counts of felony bail jumping. Jacobson dismissed numerous other charges but considered them during sentencing.

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Prosecutors first charged Bradberry in December with sexually assaulting an 8-year-old boy. In March, while Bradberry was out on a $2,000 signature bond, prosecutors say he raped a 16-year-old girl. He spent a couple of months in jail until June, when he posted a $1,000 cash bail. Then, in July, prosecutors accused Bradberry and a group of other teens of beating up a 15-year-old, stealing his cellphone and leaving him in the woods. 

People took to social media to express outrage, concern and confusion about what they perceived as the low amounts of cash bail and signature bonds judges set in Bradberry's cases after he continued to re-offend while out of jail. 

Jacobson addressed that during sentencing, saying Bradberry lacked empathy and described him as "impulsive, thrill-seeking and self-centered." 

Bradberry has a long juvenile record, Jacobson said, including acting out in school, making sexual comments toward female classmates, stealing and getting into fights. He completed the National Guard Wisconsin Challenge Academy and started to turn his life around, Sawyer said. He wanted to join the Army, Sawyer said, but failed the entrance test and returned to his old ways.

RELATED: Weston teen charged with sexually assaulting boy now accused of raping 16-year-old girl

RELATED: Weston teen at center of bail controversy accused of beating up 15-year-old boy

Sawyer said her client's success at the challenge academy proves he is capable of change and able to turn his life around.

Jacobson questioned if Bradberry was actually remorseful, given his repeated offenses, and said he has concerns about Bradberry's rehabilitation. 

But Bradberry said he was sorry and apologized to the victims, their families and his own family, acknowledging the pain and hurt he has caused. 

"I hope and pray over time (the victims') fear will become peace," he said. 

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