SHELL LAKE, Wis. -- According to public record Richard Priesgen, of Spooner, WI, appeared in Washburn County Circuit Court today May 24, 2017, for a preliminary examination hearing on his Felony charges which were recently filed.
DrydenWire.com reported on May 18, 2017 (see below) that Priesgen is facing charges of Felony Use of a Computer to Facilitate a Child Sex Crime, and Felony Child Enticement, along with Felony Possession of Marijuana and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia following an investigation by the Spooner Police Department in which he allegedly attempted to meet with an underage female for sexual purposes.
The court heard testimony from a Spooner Police Officer regarding the charges and found that there is probable cause to bind Priesgen over for trial.
Public record also shows that Priesgen's defense attorney submitted an application for a substitution of judge in this case. No future court date is listed at the time of this post.
The Sheriff's Office also confirmed that Priesgen remains in custody at the Washburn County Jail.
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Spooner Man Charged With Use of Computer to Facilitate Child Sex Crime
Thursday, May 18, 2017 | by Ben Dryden
SHELL LAKE, Wis -- A Spooner man has been charged in Washburn County Circuit Court with Felony Use of a Computer to Facilitate a Child Sex Crime, and Felony Child Enticement, along with Felony Possession of Marijuana and Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia.
According to the criminal complaint, Richard Priesgen, 26 years of age, utilized Facebook Messenger to communicate with a female who told him that she was 15 years old. The criminal complaint states that Spooner Police Department received reports that Priesgen may be sending sexually inappropriate messages to an underage female.
Officers created a fictitious Facebook account of a female who then became 'friends' on Facebook with Priesgen. On April 29, 2017, Priesgen was engaged in a Facebook messenger conversation with this 'female', in which she told Priesgen she was 15 years old. While Priesgen initially told the female she was 'so young' and that he 'could get in so much trouble for talking to' her; he quickly escalated the conversation to a sexual nature.
The criminal complaint states that in one message Priesgen sent to the female he included a photo depicting a naked male and female in 9 different sexual positions with a heading that says: “Pick 3 (3 only) put them in the order you'd want them ;-)”. Additional messages from Priesgen included the statements, “that's why I wish you were 18 already”; “I'll teach you”; and “I'd love to F**K YOU”.
The female and Priesgen ultimately agreed to meet behind the Buckhorn Bar, located in Spooner, WI. Priesgen reportedly chose that location, telling the female that they cannot be seen together in public, and that they needed to meet somewhere “secluded” and that she should not bring anyone with her. Priesgen stated he was already there waiting for her.
Spooner Police Officers went to the location at around 9 PM on April 29, 2017, and located Priesgen behind the Buckhorn Bar. He was arrested for Child Enticement. During a search of Priesgen, officers located a pouch in his coat pocket which contained a zip lock bag containing marijuana and a pipe for smoking marijuana.
The charge of Use of a Computer to Facilitate a Child Sex Crime is a Class C Felony, punishable upon conviction by maximum confinement of not more than 40 years in state prison. Child Enticement is a Class D Felony, a conviction would result in maximum punishment of not more than 25 years in state prison. Felony Possession of Marijuana (2nd Offense) is a Class I Felony, punishable upon conviction by imprisonment for not more than 3 years in state prison. Conviction of Misdemeanor Possession of Drug Paraphernalia carries a maximum penalty of not more than 30 days in jail.
The Washburn County District Attorney's Office filed these charges against Priesgen with Repeat Offender Enhanced Penalties attached; the criminal complaint states the Enhanced Penalties are attached due to Priesgen having multiple prior criminal convictions and that these Enhanced Penalties could increase any sentence Priesgen may receive if convicted of these charges.
According to public record, Priesgen appeared in custody in Washburn County Circuit Court on May 15, 2017, on these charges and is scheduled to appear again on May 24, 2017.
DrydenWire.com will continue to update the community on this situation when any significant activity or progress develops and reminds our readers that arrested or charged individuals are presumed innocent until convicted by judge or jury.
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Last Update: May 24, 2017 9:01 pm CDT
