Man Sentenced for Sexually Assaulting a Child in Eau Claire County Court

Tuesday, March 10th, 2026 -- 1:00 PM

(Wisconsin Radio Network) A man accused of sexually assaulting children in northwestern Wisconsin will spend the rest of his life in prison.

According to the Wisconsin Radio Network, Eau Claire County Judge Jon Theisen on Friday sentenced Robert Kartsenson to 40 years, followed by 20 years extended supervision.

That’s tantamount to a life term for the 83-year-old charged with sexually assaulting six young victims in Eau Claire and Barron Counties over a period of years dating back to the mid-1990s. Karstenson admitted to the assaults when arrested by Eau Claire police in June of last year.

Karstenson’s neighbor, 55-year-old James Barbey is also charged with multiple counts of child sexual assault. A scheduling conference in Barbey’s case is today (Monday) in Eau Claire County Court.

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