07/29/2025
Birds of a feather flock together
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Repost from :
(In June 2025, Robert Karstensen, an
82-year-old Eau Claire resident, was arrested following a months-long investigation into child sexual assault. Karstensen, along with his neighbor James Barbey, 54, allegedly abused multiple children over several years.
The investigation began in May when a victim reported abuse to a social worker, leading to interviews that identified additional victims.
Karstensen faces 11 felony charges, including three counts of repeated sexual assault of a child, first-degree sexual assault of a child under 12, first-degree sexual assault of a child under 13, three counts of child enticement, exposing a child to harmful material, and two counts of exposing ge****ls. Court documents reveal five victims detailed abuse by Karstensen, with three also reporting abuse by Barbey.
Karstensen is held on a $1 million cash bond, with a preliminary hearing waived and further hearings pending. The Eau Claire Police Department urges anyone with information to contact their non-emergency line at (715) 839-4972)
