Member of Franklin High School bowling team speaks out after coach arrested for sex assault

Updated: 9:00 p.m. February 22, 2019

FRANKLIN, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A Franklin High School bowling coach has been charged with 2nd-degree sexual assault of a child.

Zachary Drabek, 19, is also charged with stalking.

A member of the team who says he was close with Drabek spoke exclusively to CBS 58.

“It’s a shame,” Eric Bieberstein said. “I never would’ve suspected Zach of doing something so terrible.”

Franklin police say Drabek assaulted a 15-year-old boy at the boy’s house after parents went to bed.

Bieberstein says he knows the victim too, a former member of the bowling team.

“I feel very bad for him,” Bieberstein said. “I really feel terrible. Something that no person should go through in their life.”

Officers say after the assault, Drabek continued to harass the victim and the victim’s family.

The Franklin School District sent a letter to parents informing them of the incident.

It said Drabek also was a summer custodian at the school, but he passed a background check and staff who worked with him said there was never any sign he posed a threat.

Drabek is banned from having contact with any students, staff or school events.

He could face more than 40 years in prison if convicted.

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FRANKLIN, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A volunteer bowling coach has been arrested for sex assault.

According to a release from the Franklin Police, Zachary Drabek, 19, is charged with 2nd Degree Sexual Assault of a Child and Stalking.

Drabek was employed for two summers with the school. 

Police say Drabek had inappropriate contact with a 15-year-old Franklin High School student during an off campus encounter while he was volunteering as a bowling coach at the school.

Franklin Police told Drabek that he is to have no contact with any school staff, students, or events. 

The Franklin School District sent a district letter out to parents who attend Franklin High School, advising them on this incident.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Franklin Police say they are not aware of any additional victims at this time but are encouraging any possible victims to contact the Franklin Police Department directly. 

The Franklin School District released a statement which read in part,

We wish to make it clear that the well-being and safety of all of our students is our top priority.
The District conducts background checks on all individuals before clearing them for access to
our schools and we require all visitors to check-in at the main office of all our buildings.

The District recently implemented a new tipline tool for students and families to report any
concerns of bullying, violence, and self-harm. STOPit, is a mobile and online resource to alert
district administration and the FPD. Students in 3rd- through 12-grade were provided
information about the tipline, including how and when to use it.