Guilty pleas in rape case

By TED SULLIVAN   Thursday, April 9, 2009
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Serial rape incidents


Michael R. Huber, 32, was arrested in February 2008. Janesville police believe he is responsible for six home invasion and sometimes rape incidents:

Aug. 3, 1998: A 26-year-old woman is raped in her home in the 1800 block of South Willard Avenue.

July 9, 1999: A 23-year-old woman is raped in her home in the 2100 block of South Oakhill Avenue.

Oct. 14, 2000: A 33-year-old woman putting her two children to bed at 4 a.m. finds a man standing in the bedroom of their home in the 2000 block of Green Valley Drive. The man flees after the woman tosses a cordless phone to her 7-year-old son and tells him to call 911.

May 8, 2001: A woman sleeping in her home in the 200 block of Brakefield Drive is awakened by a man who lifts her shirt but doesn't touch her. The man leaves after the woman asks him to close her 8-year-old daughter's bedroom door.

Aug. 20, 2003: A teenage Janesville girl sleeping overnight at her grandmother's home on Parkview Drive is raped by a man who breaks into the home.

July 27, 2005: A man wakes a 37-year-old woman in the 2100 block of Green Valley Drive at about 3 a.m. and threatens her with a handgun. The woman is not sexually assaulted.

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Michael R. Huber

— For nearly 10 years, the Janesville home-invasion rapist haunted the city.

Residents were on edge, fearing the rapist might strike again.

Women bought extra locks for their doors and attended self-defense classes.

People were shocked such crimes could hit so close to home.

"There were a lot of people connected to these victims either by contact or by proximity to the neighborhood," Janesville police detective Erik Goth said. "They felt like this was something that could happen to them."

Michael R. Huber, 32, was arrested in February 2008 on suspicion of committing six home invasions and sometimes rapes from 1998 to 2005, giving residents relief.

He pleaded guilty in Rock County Court on Wednesday to six felony charges of first-degree sexual assault. He changed his plea as part of a plea agreement.

A seventh charge of second-degree sexual assault of a child was dismissed.

Attorneys on both sides are free to argue punishment at sentencing.

Huber's attorney, Joshua Klaff, could not comment on why Huber decided to accept responsibility.

"Frequently, in cases like this, defendants want to plead guilty because they don't want alleged victims to have to relive any of the events and especially have to testify," he said.

Huber's change of plea came the day after the judge denied Huber's request to keep DNA evidence out of trial, leaving the state with fingerprint and DNA evidence against Huber.

"I don't think there is any question that the DNA would have played a significant role at the trial," Janesville Police Deputy Chief Steve Kopp said. "I think with this plea coming on the heels of the motion being denied, you can probably read something into that."

Huber was charged in a 1998 assault against a 27-year-old woman and a 2003 attack against a 13-year-old girl, according to the criminal complaint.

Detectives believe one man committed all six invasions because of a distinct method of operation.

Huber threatened his victims with a gun in two incidents, according to the criminal complaint.

The attacks had become so alarming that police held community meetings.

"Pretty much everybody wanted to know how and why the victims had been targeted," Goth said. "And they also wanted to know how to best protect themselves and how to safeguard their homes."

Police took their investigation to new heights in an effort to solve the case.

Investigators worked with the FBI. They created response plans for the next attack. And they trained 911 dispatchers on how to handle rapist-related calls.

"I can say with certainty that these series of cases was the most complex and far-reaching investigation of any that has taken place since I've been here," Kopp said. "For years, this case was being actively worked. The detectives were devoting significant part of their work weeks to that case."

After Huber's arrest, a few people in the city lashed out against him.

A vandal spray-painted "rape" on Huber's garage door.

Huber's wife told police traffic had increased past her home. Passersby even shouted from their vehicles.

Police had to add extra patrol in Huber's neighborhood.

Two of the victims were overjoyed after learning of Huber's capture, police said. Four other victims cried.

Women citywide no longer had to worry whether they were being watched, followed or targeted, retired detective Martin Altstadt said.

"The community as a whole felt much better at the time he was arrested," Altstadt said. "They probably had a sense of relief."

Huber remains locked in the Rock County Jail without an opportunity to post bond.

He will be sentenced Friday, June 26.

reader COMMENTS
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(51)
unknown12
Apr 14, 2009 at 6:46 p.m.
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OK- for those of you who think that his family is not a victim- you have to be crazy, seriously. I feel horrible for the victims & their families. But his wife had no idea. Her & her daughter are just as much victims to this.

latinmami2
Apr 10, 2009 at 2:21 p.m.
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i seen the teenager that was 13 in the article but i did not see a mention of an 11yr old.

mcs
Apr 10, 2009 at 2:13 p.m.
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Posted on February 28 at 5:12 p.m.2008 ( Suggest removal )
Wakeupamerica... "everyone needs to wait and hear what the verdict is before you make a decision and mark a man 4 life. there are many cases out there were they accused the wrong person and because people judge them they are then scared 4 life"......
Posted on February 29 at 2:07 p.m.2008 ( Suggest removal )
wakeupamerica .. "If I am wrong I am wrong and I am a big enough person to admit it, but for now I will just hold on to my feeling of being right."..... Wakeupamerica, give me a break,bleeding hearts like you are never man enough to admit you are wrong....When he is found guilty you'll claim an unfair trial,tainted jury pool,lying witness,bad evid. or some other ridiculous reason......I'm looking forward to that apology to all the victims and most likely will be for a long,long time................................
wakeupamerica....If your still out there we're waiting for that apology.

partarican1
Apr 10, 2009 at 1:42 p.m.
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The teenager they refer to in this article was 11. Why was this charge dropped?

spark
Apr 10, 2009 at 11:27 a.m.
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ljs64 - You said: "So all you people that think you have a right to decide to end someones life are just plain wrong." Did this loser have the right to violate all these women's lives and freedom? I didn't think so.

2bme
Apr 10, 2009 at 11:08 a.m.
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listen here ljs insulting the victims and their families will not be tolerated,if somebody wishes for their assailant to be put on death row thats their right obviously the crime doesn`t fit that criteria but if someone wishes it then so be it. I can tell your one of those happy people roaming around...perhaps an assailant yourself or just maybe someone who raises them...there can be no other reason for your odd comments perhaps some therapy is in order

latinmami2
Apr 10, 2009 at 10:31 a.m.
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"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock."
THOMAS JEFFERSON
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
i this it is thank you for posting it

izer54
Apr 10, 2009 at 10:17 a.m.
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ljs64
I will be more that happy if I have to pay more in taxes to put this guy on death row to make sure he can never touch another woman or child every again so don't tell me how my tax money should be spent. Our goverment loves to spend tax money on other pork projects in this area and I have a great idea why not spend it to make us SAFER. Don't make excuses for this person. He made his bed he should lie in it! Also with that endless appeals options you are right about that crap. Our court system needs a major overhaul. You can hit somebody with you car and kill them and get 5-7 years but kill somebody up close and personal and you can get 25 to life. I can't see the difference.

"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock."
THOMAS JEFFERSON

latinmami2
Apr 10, 2009 at 10:15 a.m.
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well said whatcomesaround.

latinmami2
Apr 10, 2009 at 10:02 a.m.
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i did not say you said it was okay, i said you were trying to justify there is a difference do you get that. you were rambling on reasons why the man got 5 yrs only. As far as your rude comments, you have no clue about my life and it is far from what you are saying, you need to get a grip. the only reason you ever come on here is to bash what other posters are saying you never actually even make a point.

ljs64
Apr 10, 2009 at 9:58 a.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
latinmami2
Apr 10, 2009 at 9:44 a.m.
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ljs- i dont really care or take to heart what you say because you are the same person who tried to justify why it was okay for a man to get five years for causing his babies death.
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as far as this man's family, i was curious about what knowledge they had about this and it is a logical question, I am amazed that a person who commited these violent crime would have a family, I feel bad for his wife and child. For me if they had no knowledge they are another victim of the cruel life he was leading. If I offended anyone by asking questions most people wanted to know than so be it, but I think most people would want to know if anyone had any idea that this person was doing these things. I guess he had a heckle n jyde (sp?) thing going on

JAVA10
Apr 10, 2009 at 9:39 a.m.
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Say what you want about Mike, but rest assured his wife DID NOT KNOW what he was doing!!!! Leave her and his family out of it!!

latinmami2
Apr 10, 2009 at 9:30 a.m.
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Yet your flapping your gap and not taking into consideration his wife and family.
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Hypocrite?? I think so.
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first off i was surprised he had a wife and i did say if she did not know what was going on then i feel really bad for her and if she did know what is going on then she is a dirt bag as well, i also asked if he had kids because i said that would be awful if they had to grow up with a father who is a rapist, so where do you get that i am just bashing the family, maybe you should read before you make your ignorant comments

latinmami2
Apr 10, 2009 at 9:25 a.m.
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What you people still do not understand is that it costs MORE to keep a prisoner on death row than it does to keep them incarcerated for life. So all you people that think you have a right to decide to end someones life are just plain wrong. Unless you want the tapxpayers to pay more for a death row inmate and the endless appeals, etc.
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so you think it is better his victims never get to move on with their lives because he should be free so tax payers don't have to pay for his punishment? I for one would rather have my tax dollars go to make sure that these victims receive the justice they deserve and will be able to start to really heal from the damage this dirt bag has caused them and their families.

ljs64
Apr 10, 2009 at 9:03 a.m.
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What you people still do not understand is that it costs MORE to keep a prisoner on death row than it does to keep them incarcerated for life. So all you people that think you have a right to decide to end someones life are just plain wrong. Unless you want the tapxpayers to pay more for a death row inmate and the endless appeals, etc.

izer54
Apr 10, 2009 at 8:45 a.m.
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To whatscomesaround,
Again I say I hope you find peace and happiness and will be able to let this bad time in your life finally be put to rest with this monster hopefully spending the rest of his life behind bars. Which is still too good for him. We as taxpayers shouldn't have to foot the bill for his 3 squares a day and a cot to sleep on. If a person wants to act like a rabid animal he should be treated like one and be PUT DOWN. He made his choices and should be punished. Jail is too good for him.

ljs64
Apr 10, 2009 at 8:09 a.m.
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lynda: "If you never say anything nice, EVER, than just go away."
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You certainly are rude as well.
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Another hypocrite.

lynda
Apr 10, 2009 at 7:53 a.m.
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To LJS: your posts here are always rude and make no sense. you don't know what your talking about and you are the one FLAPPING YOUR JAW and have nothing to back up your incessant rantings. If you never say anything nice, EVER, than just go away.

ljs64
Apr 9, 2009 at 9:36 p.m.
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latinmami2: Here is one of your posts from another story in the Gazette:

"so sad the world is full of people who have no compassion or can never put themselves in other people's shoes just to feel for a split second what a grieving family just might be going through especially when people are bashing their family member who just died."
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Yet your flapping your gap and not taking into consideration his wife and family.
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Hypocrite?? I think so.

latinmami2
Apr 9, 2009 at 7:36 p.m.
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Yeah it is really crazy and scary at the same time, because if she did not know that entire time then he was really good at being a con-man criminal leading a double life, and for that really all the more he does not even need to be on the streets at all if he can trick his own family that he lives with. Like I said before I wonder if he has children, I almost pray that he does not so they will never have to grow up knowing what their father did.

Jeanette1984
Apr 9, 2009 at 7:18 p.m.
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latinmami,
that just goes to show you that you will never know a person completely.

latinmami2
Apr 9, 2009 at 5:28 p.m.
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"Huber's wife told police traffic had increased past her home. Passersby even shouted from their vehicles."
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amazing this man has a wife, you have to wonder how does a person not know what type of monster they are married to. if she really did not know i feel bad for her if she did know or even suspect something that would be interesting to know. Anyone know if they have children as well?

darius
Apr 9, 2009 at 4:48 p.m.
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chemical~ that's fair enough. You're absolutely right regarding the subject matter. I appreciate you opening my eyes to that.

chemical_6
Apr 9, 2009 at 4:43 p.m.
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Darius - what the crap does being Christian have to do with the Gazette writing the news? Also, I would love to see your source for "the richest media sources in the world today are only 1% Christian". I could care less what religion the people are who write the news I read, as long as it is accurate to the best of their knowledge and given to the public as quickly as possible. That and no offense, but IMO, you shouldn't really group the people that work there as just "the gazette"... there are many people that work there that have many different beliefs and values... just an FYI

Mikki
Apr 9, 2009 at 2:41 p.m.
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Just give it time...biggirl will be here posting how we are all evil and this person should be given a second chance, blather blather blather.
She seems to have a soft spot for sex offenders.

officerfriendly1
Apr 9, 2009 at 1:30 p.m.
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On Cash bond set, DNA match found in serial rape case
Posted on February 29 at 4:03 p.m.

wakeupamerica wrote:

"once again you take everything i say and rearrange it. if he is guilty i will admit i was wrong! if not then you have to admit u were wrong."

We're waiting!

lakennedy
Apr 9, 2009 at 1:26 p.m.
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I wish the victims a speedy recovery. Hopefully, knowing that he's been apprehended helps with the healing process.

latinmami2
Apr 9, 2009 at 1:22 p.m.
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after reading all the stories from the victims it makes all the feelings towards this man and his crime even more intense, most of the times you don't get to hear the victims side and just read the article and I pray this man gets what he really deserves and these victims get some closure to help them move on with their lives.

mickie
Apr 9, 2009 at 12:07 p.m.
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Well it seems sick to me that it can be printed out about each one of these victims assault, being raped, being touched, gun involved, gun not involved..But the second someone says what they hope happens to him, then thats somehow unfair??? No one really used any foul or forbidden language.. Some can dish it out- but they ceratinly cant take it.

darius
Apr 9, 2009 at 11:48 a.m.
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mickie~ agreed. The Gazette has it's own agenda as well. They're all about what's in it for them too, they aren't fooling me! Sometimes I can't help but think the Gazette is this publication that's been held hostage by the anti-Christ's of the world. It wouldn't surprise me since the richest media sources in the world today are only 1% Christian. You never know.

uclagirl15
Apr 9, 2009 at 10:39 a.m.
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I am so glad he will stay behind bars. That 2003 rape was in my neighborhood and right next to the house where I used to baby sit. I was about the same age as the girl too. I was terrified for a long time. I totally agree with Beeferer completly!!

spark
Apr 9, 2009 at 10:38 a.m.
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Ironic. They shut it down because people voice their opinion about this guy and what they think should happen to him. Yet there's people in this community posting in defense of this slob which in return makes the victims feel even worse. Instead, they should delete any comment from ones that are disturbed enough to post anything of that nature. Anyone that has remorse for this person should join him in the big house.

mickie
Apr 9, 2009 at 10:23 a.m.
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I totally agree beeferer!! Guess now they will shut this blog down too..Kinda sad that they do- the victims were finally able to have a "voice" and then the Gazette squashes them out..

beeferer
Apr 9, 2009 at 10:07 a.m.
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Castration seems very appropriate.

janesvillean
Apr 9, 2009 at 9:53 a.m.
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Excellent investigative work tracking down an elusive suspect, definitely. It was very unsettling knowing this guy was out there all that time.
.
Six first-degree sexual assault counts is six Class B felonies, each eligible for a maximum of 60 years. He's going to be away for a long time, and if he's ever released, it will be to whatever electronic monitoring equivalent we have in place in the latter half of the 21st century.

lynda
Apr 9, 2009 at 9:27 a.m.
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I totally agree Mickie and to add to that, I hope the judge continues justice in June when this creep is sentenced. May he have a long (life) and miserable stay in his new digs. He deserves no less....

mickie
Apr 9, 2009 at 9:15 a.m.
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Great job to the detectives and officers that helped solve this case. By the correct collection of evidence etc.. Huber didnt want the trial because he knew the evidence would sink him!! It wasnt until the Judge ordered against their defense that the evidence would be shown- that Huber had no other choice but to plead guilty..It was not his decision to "accept responsibility", he was backed into a corner and had very litle choice! Hats off to the detectives, officers and to the Judge for making the right crucial decision!!

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