Lafayette County
Felonies
● Bobby Lawrence Dicks, 41, and Kelly Lynn Grossen, 39, both of Gratiot, were charged May 7 with one Class I felony count each of neglecting a child, wherein harm did not occur. The criminal complaint alleges Dicks and Grossen smoked crack cocaine in the presence of their 4-year-old daughter and kept her in filthy living conditions. Dicks and Grossen admitted to smoking crack cocaine two to three times per month but not in front of their daughter. The girl told investigators it was supposed to be a secret and her parents smoke from a “glass light” and the smoke is different from cigarette smoke. A sample of the child’s hair tested positive for cocaine and two other drugs. No evidence of physical harm was reported.
● Drew P. McCarthy, 19, Benton, was charged May 6 with two Class B felony counts of first-degree child sex assault involving sexual contact with a person younger than 13 and two Class G felony counts of intimidation of a victim with threat of force. The criminal complaint presents as evidence interviews with girls who told police McCarthy sexually assaulted them between 2014 and 2018 and threatened them not to tell anyone. McCarthy denied the allegations and told a Benton police officer it was the officer’s job “to figure out why (they) were lying.” But the officer noted McCarthy “would break eye contact and pause before answering questions and he would touch his keys hanging from his belt,” which the officer interpreted as signs of deception. When the officer told McCarthy lying “would not be fair” to the victims, “Drew’s eyes began to fill with water as if he was about to cry.”
● Philip Lee Crooks, 45, Argyle, was charged June 9 with repeated sexual assault of the same child, a Class C felony, exposing genitals to a child, a Class I felony, false imprisonment, a Class H felony, and misdemeanor counts of disorderly conduct, intimidation of a victim to dissuade reporting and fourth-degree sexual assault. The criminal complaint indicates Crooks repeatedly touched a teenage girl sexually over a period of time about 10 years ago and that he continued similar assaultive behavior toward her more recently as an adult, in spite of her repeated attempts to get him to stop. She told police his actions made her feel “very uncomfortable,” “scared” and “nauseous.” One witness told police Crooks had manipulated the victim. Another witness reported seeing Crooks “cuddling” with her and “it was weird.” The situation came to a head on June 3, when the victim said she told Crooks not to touch her. This resulted in an altercation with him that left her with bruises. Crooks told police he and the alleged victim “have feelings for one another” and that her allegations made him angry. He denied inappropriately touching her when she was a child.
● Seth M. Behm, 34, Cambridge, pleaded no contest June 17 to one Class H felony count of theft of moveable property, with two related misdemeanor theft charges dismissed but “read in.” He was sentenced to two years in prison, three years on extended supervision and three years on probation. Conditions of his probation include paying restitution of $75.81 to the Darlington Mini Mart and undergoing assessment for alcohol or other drug treatment. Court records indicate he stole an automotive diagnostic scanner worth $5,500 from a farm on Crist Lane, Town of Willow Springs, while employed there off and on in March 2018, and then traded the scanner for crack cocaine from his drug dealer. He has pending felony burglary and theft cases in the counties of Iowa, Jefferson and Dane.
● Ronald C. Patterson Jr., 56, Madison, pleaded no contest June 18 to felony bail jumping, a Class E felony count of possession of an amphetamine with intent to distribute and a misdemeanor count of possessing drug paraphernalia. A felony count of possessing methamphetamine paraphernalia was dismissed. He was sentenced to three years in prison, three years extended supervision and four years on probation, with conditions including absolute sobriety and participation in the Dane County Drug Court program if accepted. The case stems from a Sept. 27 traffic stop in Darlington.
● Douglas William Champion, 27, Shullsburg, pleaded guilty June 18 to misdemeanor charges of possessing drug paraphernalia, one of which was downgraded from a felony charge of possessing methamphetamine. He was sentenced to 18 months on probation. His court assessments total $926. The case stems from an arrest Oct. 20 in Shullsburg.
● Brook Ellen Minett, 22, Platteville, pleaded no contest June 24 to a felony charge of possessing meth and a misdemeanor charge of possessing drug paraphernalia. She was sentenced to three years on probation and an imposed-and-stayed 90 days in jail. Conditions of her probation include completing a Grant County Drug Treatment Court program. Her court assessments total $1,001. She’s eligible to have the felony expunged. The case stems from a traffic stop Feb. 8 on Highland Street in Belmont.