A 38-year-old former Madison priest, Andrew Showers, was convicted Tuesday in Waupaca County Circuit Court of three felony charges, including attempted child enticement and possession of child pornography. Showers entered no-contest pleas to attempted child enticement, attempted second-degree sexual assault of a child, and possession of child pornography, according to WLUK.
While he awaits sentencing in Waupaca County, he faces additional, separate charges in Marathon County that remain pending.
A Sting Operation in Clintonville
The Waupaca County case centers on a planned meeting at a Clintonville hotel. Showers attempted to arrange a rendezvous with an individual he believed to be a 14-year-old girl; in reality, the person was a Clintonville police sergeant posing as a minor.
Following the operation, authorities executed search warrants on Showers’ electronic devices. The discovery of child pornography on those devices led to the subsequent felony charges. During the hearing, Judge Diane Meulemans accepted the no-contest pleas. Per the plea agreement, additional charges—including one count of attempting to use a computer to facilitate a child sex crime and a second count of possession of child pornography—were dismissed but read into the court record for consideration at sentencing, NBC 26 reported.
Pope Leo XIV removed the clerical roles of Andrew Showers June 24, the Diocese of Madison announced the following day. https://t.co/Pplh0vjtKh
Dispensation from Priestly Obligations
Became a priest in 2017, Showers held assignments at various parishes throughout Wisconsin. His recent service included stints at All Saints in Berlin and Our Lady of the Lake in Green Lake during 2022 and 2023. His ministry also encompassed roles in Madison, Waunakee, Clinton, and Wisconsin Dells.
The church’s relationship with Showers ended in June 2025. The Madison Catholic diocese announced that Pope Leo XIV had granted Showers’ request for dispensation from his priestly obligations. He is no longer recognized as a priest by the church.
Pending Charges in Marathon County
Showers remains in the legal system as he awaits his January 12 sentencing for the Waupaca County convictions. However, he is scheduled to return to court on October 22 regarding separate allegations of attempted grooming of a child for sexual activity in Marathon County.
Court records allege that in the Marathon County case, Showers communicated with an undercover Wausau police officer he believed to be a 15-year-old girl. Investigators report that Showers used the Kik and Telegram applications to transmit sexual messages and photos while acknowledging the girl’s age and the legal implications of the communication.
Case Summary and Timeline
When was Showers officially removed from his position in the church?
The Madison Catholic diocese announced in June 2025 that Showers was granted dispensation from his priestly obligations, meaning he is no longer recognized as a priest.
What is the status of the Marathon County case?
Showers is charged with attempted grooming of a child in Marathon County and is set to appear in court for that case on October 22.
How did authorities initially identify Showers?
Showers was first charged in late summer 2025 after attempting to meet an undercover police officer in Clintonville whom he believed to be a 14-year-old girl.
Worth a look