KENOSHA, Wis. — A 71-year-old Kenosha man is being held on $100,000 cash bail after prosecutors charged him with sexually assaulting a woman at knifepoint following an online encounter that ended at a local restaurant where she sought help.

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Michael Erenberg was formally charged Tuesday in Kenosha County Circuit Court with first-degree sexual assault with the use of a dangerous weapon, battery, and disorderly conduct. All three charges stem from a July 21 incident that began after he met the woman on Facebook.

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According to the criminal complaint, the woman agreed to meet Erenberg in person and got into his gray Hyundai Venue. She expected him to match his online identity but quickly became alarmed when he did not appear to be who she thought he was. He drove her to his home on 18th Avenue in Kenosha, where she noticed box cutters lying around and began feeling unsafe.

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Once inside, the woman told police that Erenberg placed his hand on her neck and asked, “Do you want me?” She said she tried to stay calm because of the presence of the weapons. When she began texting a friend, Erenberg allegedly grew irritated, brandished a box cutter, and pressed it against her neck. He then led her to his bedroom.

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There, he allegedly ripped off her pants and rubbed his genitals on her while she tried to push him away. According to the complaint, she repeatedly told him to stop and fought back, but he only stopped when he was unable to maintain an erection. Erenberg then began apologizing and told her, “I’m not ever like this.”

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She told police he also choked her for about 10 seconds, though she did not lose consciousness and was able to breathe.

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After the alleged assault, Erenberg took her to Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, a restaurant on 77th Street in Pleasant Prairie. There, she approached a person in the parking lot and the hostess inside, asking for help. Police arrived shortly afterward and detained Erenberg at the scene.

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During an interview with officers, Erenberg initially admitted meeting the woman but said “nothing had happened.” When officers pressed further, Erenberg asked, “Is she trying to say that I raped her or something?” and then terminated the interview.

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Prosecutors charged him with a Class B felony, which carries a maximum sentence of 60 years in prison. The disorderly conduct charge includes a penalty enhancer for use of a dangerous weapon, and the battery charge is classified as a Class A misdemeanor.

Court Commissioner William Michel II ordered Erenberg held on $100,000 cash bail. He remains in custody at the Kenosha County Jail. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for July 29.

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