By Shereen Siewert
A 41-year-old already facing charges of exposing a child to harmful material is now accused of sexually assaulting a 12-year-old girl at his Wausau home.
Jeffery Wendt appeared Friday in Marathon County Circuit Court on charges including first degree sexual assault of a child younger than 16 with the use or threat of force. The assault charge is a felony with a maximum penalty of 60 years in the Wisconsin Prison System.
During an initial appearance, Circuit Judge Greg Huber ordered Wendt held on a $10,000 cash bond.
Court records show the alleged victim told investigators the suspect gave her several vodka beverages at his home in 2018 when she was 12 years old. The girl said she became drunk and fell asleep on the couch, only to wake and find Wendt rubbing her thighs and kissing her. When the girl attempted to get away, Wendt allegedly strangled the girl and sexually assaulted her.
Wendt is facing felony charges in two additional open cases in Marathon County including a March 2019 case in which Wendt was accused of exposing a child to harmful material. Battery charges were filed against Wendt in September.
A preliminary hearing is set for March 16.
