BRIAN HELFERT

MENOMINEE — A former Menominee County Sheriff’s Office sergeant and school resource officer accused of having sexual contact with a 16-year-old boy was expected to plead not guilty today.

Brian Helfert, 56, is charged with two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, a felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Helfert had waived arraignment and was not required to appear in person in 95-A District Court. The pleas were to be entered on Helfert’s behalf by District Court Judge Robert Jamo.

According to the criminal complaint, the sexual assault occurred Nov. 10 at Helfert’s home in Menominee after the boy called for a ride home from a friend’s house.

Helfert — then a juvenile crime investigator and school resource officer for Menominee Area Public Schools — reportedly told the boy not to speak of the incident.

A probable cause conference is set for Feb. 6.