By Jeremy Ratliff
MMC Staff
MERRILL – A 25-year-old Gleason man remains in the custody of the Lincoln County jail on $100,000 cash bond related to an alleged incident which occurred this past summer when he reportedly had nonconsensual sexual contact with an individual under the age of 16.
According to a criminal complaint filed with the Lincoln County District Attorney’s Office, in September a Lincoln County deputy was contacted by an individual under the age of 16 and advised having nonconsensual sexual contact with Ryan in June or July. The victim reportedly attempted to push Ryan away during the contact but was unsuccessful. The investigating deputy and an investigator with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office met with Ryan at his residence last month, during which Ryan admitted to having sexual contact with the victim, but was unable to recollect if the contact was consensual.
On Wednesday, Oct. 14, Ryan appeared in Lincoln County Circuit Court, facing a charge of first degree sexual assault of a child-intercourse with person under age of 16-use/threat of force/violence. Ryan was held on $100,000 cash bond with conditions of having no contact with any female under the age of 18, not to go within 500 feet of the victim’s residence, absolute sobriety, not to possess or consume alcohol or controlled substances, and not to enter tavern/bar/beer tent/liquor store premises. Ryan was also ordered to surrender any passport and was ordered not to leave the state.
Ryan is due back in court today (Wednesday, Nov. 25) for a status conference.