Mark Anderson
(Facebook photo)
A former Hillsboro and Wonewoc man was convicted Jan. 18 of incest and repeated acts of sexual assault of a child younger than 16.
After a three-day trial in Vernon County Circuit Court, the jury deliberated for about 2 ½ hours before returning guilty verdicts for Mark K. Anderson.
Vernon County Assistant District Attorney Stacy A. Smith represented the state in this case, which had been underway for more than two years.
The defendant now faces up to a maximum sentence of 80 years in the Wisconsin corrections system. A Presentence Investigation (PSI) was ordered by Judge Darcy Rood, and Anderson will be sentenced on March 13.
The sexual assaults started when the victim was 12 years old and continued for a little more than two years. During the trial, evidence was heard that the victim was sexual assaulted by the defendant in Vernon, Juneau and Monroe counties over the past few years, with more than 20 acts of abuse.
Smith said, “The young person was extremely brave in reporting this criminal activity of a family member and was consistent throughout the entire process, including testifying at the jury trial.”
Smith also said that he was “pleased that the parents of this child called law enforcement shortly after finding out what took place, as some in the family tried to ‘sweep it under the rug’ and keep it a family secret. Too many cases of sexual assault are kept secret, and it perpetuates more abuse on children. It fosters generation after generation of sexually abused children. We need brave victims to come forward and stop this horrifying cycle of sexual abuse.”
Smith also acknowledged Juneau County deputy Debbie Leque, Elroy police officer Tyler Brown and Vernon County investigator JoEllen Zitzner for “their hard work and dedication.”
According to Smith, “Law enforcement did a terrific job putting the pieces together. I now pray that the victim and the family can put their lives back together, where everyone can live a normal life.”
These types of cases require a lot of extra effort because of the sensitivity involved in child sexual assault cases, Smith added.
