Diocese of Madison Priest Andrew Showers Faces New Felony Charges Following Digital Evidence Discovery

Father Andrew Showers faces new felony charges in Wisconsin after digital evidence was found on devices seized during a police sting.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 28, 2026, 5:48 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from WMTV 15 News

New Felony Counts Filed Against Madison Cleric

Legal pressure intensified against Father Andrew Showers this week as the Waupaca County District Attorney formally leveled two counts of possession of child pornography against the 37 year old priest. The Diocese of Madison confirmed the development on Friday, noting that these new charges stem from a forensic analysis of electronic hardware. These devices were originally confiscated by law enforcement during a high profile arrest last summer, providing authorities with a secondary layer of digital evidence that has now been translated into a formal criminal complaint.

Sting Operation Led to Initial August Arrest

The origin of the case dates back to August 2025, when Showers allegedly coordinated a physical meeting with an individual he believed was a 14 year old girl. According to police reports, the contact was actually a sergeant from the Clintonville Police Department working in an undercover capacity to identify potential predators. This initial encounter led to a series of serious allegations, including the attempted use of a computer to facilitate a child sex crime, attempted child enticement, and attempted second degree sexual assault of a minor.

Diocese Responds to Growing List of Allegations

Bishop Donald J. Hying of the Diocese of Madison issued a formal statement on Friday, characterizing the exploitation of children as a profound violation of Catholic doctrine. The Bishop emphasized that the safety and dignity of young people must remain the church,s highest priority and stated that such behavior cannot be tolerated within the institution. While the Diocese is not providing a legal defense for Showers, Hying pledged to maintain a policy of transparency and continued cooperation with civil authorities as the forensic investigation yields more information.