CHILTON, WI — Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Andrew Beck, 44, appeared in court on Monday and entered not‑guilty pleas to two misdemeanor charges: criminal damage to property and theft of movable property. The charges stem from a June 5 incident in which Beck allegedly damaged his daughter’s cellphone.

Details of the alleged incident

According to the criminal complaint, Beck discovered his daughter using a cellphone that had been provided by her mother. The complaint states that Beck “threw the phone straight down onto the wood floor as hard as he could, causing a loud sound,” and repeated the action two to three more times. He then placed both hands on the phone, forced it down over a raised knee in an attempt to snap it, and later threw it into a garbage can. The complaint further alleges that Beck “cussed” and knocked a water bottle off a dresser, which flew across the room, and “smacked” an Alexa device off a windowsill, sending it under the bed.

Beck’s response and legal process

Beck told officers that the phone violated household rules and expressed concern about his daughter’s unsupervised access to social media. He argued that the device posed a risk to family standards and parental oversight.

Under Wisconsin misdemeanor procedure, defendants may sign a waiver allowing their attorney to appear on their behalf for certain hearings, eliminating the need for personal appearance. Beck’s attorney filed the waiver, and a signature bond was set. The case is scheduled to return to court on October 28.

Administrative action

Following the incident, the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Department placed Lt. Beck on administrative duty while the criminal matter proceeds. Administrative duty is a standard internal measure that removes an officer from regular patrol or supervisory responsibilities pending the outcome of legal proceedings.

Community context

While the case involves a law‑enforcement official, it also raises broader questions about parental authority, household rules, and the appropriate use of technology by minors. Manitowoc County officials have not commented further on the matter, and the court’s upcoming hearing will determine the next steps.

Residents of Chilton and the surrounding Manitowoc County area are encouraged to stay informed about local court proceedings and any related updates from the sheriff’s department.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.