Former Pewaukee Planet Fitness Employee Found Guilty of Child Sexual Exploitation
PEWAUKEE, WISCONSIN — A former Planet Fitness employee has been found guilty of child sexual exploitation following a 2024 incident involving a 16-year-old girl at the gym’s Capitol Drive location in Pewaukee, according to Waukesha County court records.
A jury convicted 42-year-old Maurice King this week after a multi-day trial, while acquitting him of child enticement charges. Two additional child sex crime counts were dismissed with prejudice, meaning prosecutors cannot refile them.
King is now awaiting sentencing in December and faces significant prison time for the felony conviction.
Incident at Planet Fitness Sparks Investigation
The investigation began after the teen victim told police she walked to the Planet Fitness gym around 1 a.m. on July 19, 2024, after finishing work. According to court filings, King, who was working at the time, allegedly engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior with the teen inside the facility.
Less than a month later, police pulled King over for a traffic violation on Capitol Drive. During the stop, before officers even explained why he was being arrested, King reportedly told police,
“I think I know what this is about,”
and referenced a “weird interaction” he’d had with a teenager weeks earlier.
King Denied Contact But Made Damaging Admissions
In interviews with investigators, King denied any sexual contact with the victim, claiming he was only trying to help her because “she had nowhere else to go.”
However, police said he admitted to having a sexually explicit video involving himself and his wife stored on his cellphone — though he denied showing the footage to the teen.
Authorities later confirmed through digital forensics and testimony that King’s behavior at the gym violated Wisconsin child protection laws.
Prosecutors argued that King “abused his position of trust” as an employee in a public setting meant to be safe for young people.
Jury Reaches Swift Verdict; Sentencing Set for December
The Waukesha County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that the jury’s verdict came after careful review of witness testimony, surveillance footage, and King’s own statements.
King was found guilty of one count of child sexual exploitation, while the remaining charges were dismissed. He is scheduled for sentencing in December, where he faces the possibility of lengthy incarceration and mandatory sex offender registration.
As Waukesha County prosecutors prepare for the sentencing phase, community advocates are reminding residents to report suspicious activity and ensure minors are protected in workplace and recreational environments. For ongoing updates on Wisconsin court cases and public safety news, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.