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Goebel to stand trial on sex assault charges
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Goebel
DARLINGTON - The case of a Nekoosa man accused of having sex with an underage girl in 2015 will proceed to trial after a preliminary hearing Tuesday.

Hunter Goebel, 20, will stand trial for two Class C felony counts of second-degree sexual assault of a child and a Class D felony count of child enticement.

The charges stem from an incident on Oct. 24, 2015 when Goebel reportedly groped an underage teenage girl at her residence before having sex with her.

At a preliminary hearing Tuesday, Assistant Attorney General Annie Jay called Dane County Detective Brian Frisch to testify. Frisch identified Goebel and confirmed that he was arrested for having sex with an underage girl on May 4.

Frisch noted that the victim was beneath the age of consent and added that he determined that Goebel was 18 years old at the time of the incident. However, Goebel was actually 19 years old at the time.

No other questions were asked of Frisch. Lafayette County Circuit Judge Duane Jorgenson found probable cause and bound Goebel over for trial.

Goebel's attorney, Jane Bucher, also called for a modification of Goebel's bond. On May 8, a $20,000 cash bond was set for Goebel that he has since been unable to pay.

"It may as well be a million dollars for his family," Bucher said.

Bucher requested that the bond be changed to a co-signature bond that Goebel's family would be able to sign and proposed additional restrictions upon Goebel, such as prohibition against contact with minors or prohibition against internet access.

Jay argued that Jorgenson was aware of Goebel's family when he set the bond and that the bond should remain unchanged unless new developments occur. Jorgenson agreed, denying Bucher's request.

Goebel remains in custody. His maximum possible sentence is 65 years in prison.