WASHBURN COUNTY -- The Court has ordered a lengthy prison term followed by a lengthy-term of supervision for Zachary Richardson, of Spooner, WI, who was charged with numerous child sex crimes in January 2019.
DrydenWire.com previously reported that Richardson was placed on a $1,000 cash bond after being arrested for allegations of multiple child sexual assaults occurring over a two year period from January of 2017 through January of 2019. When an investigation Officer asked Richardson “do you think you would do this again?”; Richardson responded, “Yes I would, I don’t trust myself.”
The criminal complaint filed against Richardson included many graphic details of Richardson’s statements during his interview with Law Enforcement including that he used adult sexual devices on at least one of the children on multiple occasions; that he had recently set up a camera to record at least one of the children; that he had deliberately exposed his genitals to at least one of the children on multiple occasions; and that he consistently would show the children pornographic videos.
Charges of Class B Felony Repeated Sexual Assault of a Child, Class B Felony 1st Degree Sexual Assault of a Child Under Age 12, Class B Felony Sexual Assault of a Child Under 16 Years of Age, 3 Counts of Class C Felony [Unlawful Sexual Contact With a Child], 2 Counts of Class I Felony Exposing a Child to Harmful Material, 2 Counts of Class F Felony Causing Child Under 13 to View/Listen to Sexual Activity, 2 Counts of Class I Felony Exposing Genitals were filed against Richardson.
In March 2019, DrydenWire.com reported that a nationwide arrest warrant had been issued for Richardson after he failed to appear for a court hearing on his criminal charges. Richardson was located and taken into custody a short time later. The Court reinstated Richardson’s bail bond and he was released.
Additionally, DrydenWire.com reported that further criminal charges of 3 counts of Class C Felony Child Sexual Exploitation - Videos, Records, etc. and 7 counts of Class D Felony Possession of Child Pornography were added to the criminal complaint filed against Richardson in March 2019.
DrydenWire.com reported in December 2019 that Richardson appeared for a plea hearing and entered pleas of No Contest to the charges of Class B Felony Repeated Sexual Assault of Same Child (At Least 3 Violations of 1st Degree Sexual Assault); Class B Felony 1st Degree Child Sexual Assault - Intercourse with Person under 12; Class C Felony 2nd Degree Sexual Assault of Child; and 2 counts of Class D Felony Possession of Child Pornography. The remainder of his charges were dismissed but read in.
Following that hearing, the Court revoked Richardson’s bond and he was remanded into the custody of the Washburn County Jail.
A sentencing hearing was held for Richardson on February 14, 2020. The Court heard sentencing recommendations from both Richardson’s defense counsel and Washburn County District Marcoux. Online circuit court records show that Richardson chose not to speak at the hearing.
The Court ordered Richardson to serve an initial 35 years of confinement in State Prison followed by 25 years of extended supervision. Further details regarding the sentences on each of Richardson’s convictions are included below.
Richardson has been sentenced to serve 25 years of initial confinement in State Prison on his conviction for Class B Felony Repeated Sexual Assault of Same Child (At Least 3 Violations of 1st Degree Sexual Assault) to be followed by 15 years extended supervision.
The Court ordered a concurrent sentence of 25 years initial confinement in State Prison for Richardson’s conviction of Class B Felony 1st Degree Child Sexual Assault - Intercourse with Person under 12 with 15 years of extended supervision.
For his conviction of Class C Felony 2nd Degree Sexual Assault of Child the Court ordered Richardson to serve 10 years initial confinement in State Prison followed by 10 years of extended supervision running consecutively with all Richardson’s other sentences.
For each of Richardson’s two convictions for Class D Felony Possession of Child Pornography, the Court sentenced him to 15 years initial confinement in State Prison and 15 years extended supervision to run concurrent with his sentences on Class B Felony Repeated Sexual Assault of Same Child (At Least 3 Violations of 1st Degree Sexual Assault) and Class B Felony 1st Degree Child Sexual Assault - Intercourse with Person under 12.
Richardson has been ordered to comply with sex offender registry requirements for the remainder of his lifetime. He is also ordered to complete sex offender treatment and any other counseling as recommended by the Department of Corrections. Conditions of Richardson’s sentence prohibit him from having any contact with juveniles under the age of 18, according to online circuit court records.
The Court also ordered Richardson to pay a $500.00 surcharge regarding his two convictions of Class D Felony Possession of Child Pornography as well as court costs and restitution (in an amount to be determined) on his case.
Last Update: Feb 15, 2020 2:53 pm CST
