Packers' Chmura accused of sexual assault

Monday, April 10th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

HARTLAND, Wis. (AP) -- Mark Chmura of the Green Bay Packers was arrested and jailed today after his 17-year-old baby sitter accused him of sexual assaulting her at a party after a prom.

Chmura's friend, Robert Gessert, also was arrested and accused of sexually assaulting an 18-year-old woman in a hot tub at the same party, at Gessert's home in Hartland.

The 31-year-old player and Gessert, 42, have not been charged, District Attorney Paul Bucher said.

"We'll need to gather more information," Bucher said.

Police said they are recommending a charge of third-degree sexual assault against both men, who were due in court today.

Chmura, one of the NFL's best tight ends, was arrested and handcuffed early today at his Hartland home, where his wife was present, Hartland Police Chief Morton Hetznecker said. He was booked at Waukesha County Jail, less than an hour's drive from Milwaukee.

Boyle said Chmura has cooperated with investigators.

"We will wait and see what the facts show," the lawyer said.

A Packers spokesman said the team will comment after it learns more facts. A message was left for Chmura's agent, Eric Metz.

A search warrant filed in Waukesha County Circuit Court said the 17-year-old girl told police Chmura led her into a bathroom at Gessert's house early Sunday, locked the door, removed her jeans and underwear and had sexual intercourse with her. The girl knew Chmura because she had baby-sat his children, the warrant said.

The girl said Chmura was wearing white boxer shorts and a dark towel. Four pairs of underwear were confiscated during a search of Chmura's home today, including white boxers, the warrant said.

Investigators also recovered six towels during a search of Gessert's home, the warrant said, including a dark-colored towel. Vaccum filters containing hair and other debris from the home's bathroom floor were also confiscated by authorities. Chmura also gave hair and blood samples to authorities, the warrant said.

The 18-year-old girl accused Gessert of indecently touching her while in the hot tub.

Chmura's lawyer, Gerald Boyle, said his client was invited to a neighbor's home Saturday by the father of the youngster throwing the party. Police say the gathering of 15 to 20 people was at Gessert's house and alcohol appears to have been served.

The 17-year-old girl and her mother contacted police last night. The teen was examined at a hospital, the police chief said.

Chmura joined the Packers in 1992 but missed most of last season because of a neck injury during the second game. He was at last month's minicamp, returning from what some feared was acareer-ending injury. Chmura is entering his ninth NFL season.

"I'm actually glad I'm here," he said during the Packers' first mini camp under coach Mike Sherman. "I appreciate things more. It's been a long year, a long wait. It was good to get out there."

In February, wide receiver Antonio Freeman was sentenced to a year of probation for obstructing police in a Green Bay traffic accident. Former wide receiver Charles Jordan was fined $5,000 for lying about the accident.

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