Ellsworth teen charged with sexual assault

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An Ellsworth teenager was charged last week in Pierce County Circuit Court with two counts of sexual assault of a child.

Joseph James Richardson, 19, 136 N. Maple St., is scheduled to make his next court appearance at 11:45 a.m. Monday for a preliminary hearing.

According to the criminal complaint:

Ellsworth police were notified of the alleged incident on Jan. 25 by the victim’s father, who told them of the charges. The father said he saw his wife’s cell phone, which Richardson sent text messages intended for the victim about the two having sex, which the victim also confirmed to her parents.

A short time later, police interviewed the 13-year-old victim. The victim said the assault happened two days earlier around noon in her bedroom at her house and he snuck in through a bedroom window.

The victim then described the incident. Police asked her if she told Richardson to stop and she shook her head no. Police then asked her if she willingly went along with this and she said yes.

She said the two only had sex just once and Richardson knew she was 13.

Sexual assault of a child is a Class C felony which carries a maximum penalty of 40 years prison and/or $100,000 fine, if found guilty. Online court records show Richardson was convicted of disorderly conduct twice in 2011, along with speeding and disorderly conduct of a motor vehicle.

Tags: news, crime, courts, ellsworth, wisconsin