MONROE - A 47-year-old New Glarus man was fined for disorderly conduct, reduced from fourth-degree misdemeanor sexual assault charges, for inappropriately touching two underage girls.
Jarrod S. Kennedy was found guilty of disorderly conduct due to a no-contest plea in Green County Circuit Court Tuesday. Kennedy was originally charged with two counts of fourth-degree sexual assault. Court records show Kennedy drunkenly touched two teen-aged girls in a "haunted house" in New Glarus on Oct. 25.
Kennedy was ordered by Judge Thomas Vale to pay a fine of $379, but a posted $500 cash bond will be applied to the fine.
Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Kohl said he spoke with the girls who were aware the sexual assault charge was reduced.
"The girls stated that no further action was needed, and I believe this is an appropriate resolution," Kohl said.
"I think his action was predatory, but it is a very serious thing to be labeled a sexual predator."
Kennedy had a preliminary breath test at the Green County jail of .241 percent on the night of the incident, according to his attorney Joseph Pecora.
"He does have a prior conviction of OWI, but it is my understanding he has stopped drinking and driving," Pecora said. "He has learned not to drink and drive and now he just needs to not drink and go to haunted houses anymore."
Kennedy chose not to make a closing statement.
Court records indicate Kennedy entered a haunted house just after several teenage girls walked in and that he groped two of them while he was traveling through the house. The girls then reported the incident to the person in charge of the haunted house, who then called the police.
Vale agreed with Kohl's recommendation to avoid labeling Kennedy for the rest of his life as a sexual predator.
"That is a very serious black mark on your record," Vale said. "That level of alcohol is off the charts ... and gives me cause to believe there is an alcohol problem."
The remaining charge of fourth-degree sexual assault was dismissed on a prosecutor's motion.
Jarrod S. Kennedy was found guilty of disorderly conduct due to a no-contest plea in Green County Circuit Court Tuesday. Kennedy was originally charged with two counts of fourth-degree sexual assault. Court records show Kennedy drunkenly touched two teen-aged girls in a "haunted house" in New Glarus on Oct. 25.
Kennedy was ordered by Judge Thomas Vale to pay a fine of $379, but a posted $500 cash bond will be applied to the fine.
Assistant District Attorney Jeffrey Kohl said he spoke with the girls who were aware the sexual assault charge was reduced.
"The girls stated that no further action was needed, and I believe this is an appropriate resolution," Kohl said.
"I think his action was predatory, but it is a very serious thing to be labeled a sexual predator."
Kennedy had a preliminary breath test at the Green County jail of .241 percent on the night of the incident, according to his attorney Joseph Pecora.
"He does have a prior conviction of OWI, but it is my understanding he has stopped drinking and driving," Pecora said. "He has learned not to drink and drive and now he just needs to not drink and go to haunted houses anymore."
Kennedy chose not to make a closing statement.
Court records indicate Kennedy entered a haunted house just after several teenage girls walked in and that he groped two of them while he was traveling through the house. The girls then reported the incident to the person in charge of the haunted house, who then called the police.
Vale agreed with Kohl's recommendation to avoid labeling Kennedy for the rest of his life as a sexual predator.
"That is a very serious black mark on your record," Vale said. "That level of alcohol is off the charts ... and gives me cause to believe there is an alcohol problem."
The remaining charge of fourth-degree sexual assault was dismissed on a prosecutor's motion.