GREEN BAY (WLUK) — Brown County’s district attorney released a statement Friday explaining why his office dismissed sexual assault charges during the trial of a former employee at a Green Bay mental health treatment provider.
Ysurf Shariff faced six counts, including three of second-degree sexual assault of a child, for alleged incidents in February and April 2023 at Willow Creek Behavioral Health. However, those counts were dropped mid-trial Wednesday.
In a news release, Brown County District Attorney David Lasee wrote:
The allegations against Mr. Shariff were significant, and the charges issued on April 25, 2023, were justified based on the evidence available at the time the case was charged, and throughout the trial preparation process. Prior to trial, the state continued to believe that the charges were appropriate and that the state could meet its burden of proof.
According to court minute sheets, the jury was seated for the trial, opening statements had been made and testimony had begun. However, the state moved Wednesday to drop the charges against Shariff and the court granted that request.
Lasee explained why this decision was made, saying:
After the testimony of a crucial witness at trial on May 19, 2026, it became clear that the state could no longer prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt. The witness testimony included information that was inconsistent with prior statements, but also included additional previously undisclosed facts that were inconsistent with other, irrefutable evidence. Based on the evidence presented at trial, the state believed it could no longer meet its burden of proof, and thus was ethically obligated to move to dismiss the charges.
According to the criminal complaint, a 13-year-old female patient approached Shariff and asked to have sexual contact with him. He allegedly allowed the girl to touch him and touched her. Shariff denied these allegations. Additionally, a 16-year-old girl told police Shariff would only give her her medication if she exposed herself to him. Shariff denied these allegations, as well.
Lasee wrote:
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The Brown County District Attorney’s office firmly believes in the importance of advocating for victims of sexual abuse, particularly when those victims are among the most vulnerable members of our community. However, these cases often come with significant challenges, and when the evidence no longer supports prosecution, the state must also protect the rights of defendants and the integrity of the criminal justice system. In this case, the facts and circumstances, as they unfolded at trial, required that the state dismiss all charges against Mr. Shariff.