Sex offender caught volunteering at school

SUPERIOR, Wis. -- A convicted sex offender will spend nine months in jail for working with children at a Superior school and church.

Michael Ira Burns, 31, of Superior pleaded no contest last week in Douglas County Circuit Court to felony charges of child sex offender working with children, sex offender-failure to update information and false swearing.

Burns was sentenced to five years of probation and nine months in jail, among other requirements.

Burns was convicted of second-degree sexual assault of a child in Washburn County Circuit Court in 1998. He is prohibited from working or volunteering in a position that requires him to work with children younger than 16.

Burns volunteered to help with an event at a Superior elementary school in November.

Superior police also found Burns had given false information about internet use to the Department of Corrections.

In addition, Burns admitted that he lied in court and on the birth certificates of two children, claiming to be their biological father when he was not.

Burns also volunteered at a church clothes closet in Superior that provides clothing for children up to age 14 until the church pastor realized Burns was a sex offender.