Plea deal possibly in the works for Novotney

By LeAnn R. Ralph

MENOMONIE  —  A plea deal may possibly be in the works for a 46-year-old Boyceville man charged with 11 felonies and two misdemeanors related to the sexual assault of teenaged boys.

Christopher J. Novotney appeared in Dunn County Circuit Court June 6 before Judge James Peterson, while Novotney’s attorney, Matthew Krische, communicated with the court by telephone.

Judge Peterson noted that he had received a motion filed by Krische that morning but that it was difficult to respond to the motion on short notice because of the number of victims.

When asked how long he needed before the next court hearing, Krische said that 30 days or less would be sufficient.

Krische told the court he had just received an offer for a plea deal from Dunn County Assistant District Attorney Holly Wood-Webster and that he would discuss the offer with Novotney.

Novotney is charged with three felony counts of second degree sexual assault of a child; two felony counts of sexual assault of the same child; one felony count of exposing genitals to a child; two felony counts of a causing a child aged 13 to 18 to view sexual activity; three felony counts of exposing a child to harmful material; and two misdemeanor counts of fourth degree sexual assault.

Judge Peterson set another court hearing for Novotney July 12 at 4 p.m.

If a plea deal has been reached with the district attorney’s office by July 12, then the court will address the plea deal on that date, and if a plea deal has not been reached, the court will schedule further proceedings, Judge Peterson said.

If Krische is planning to file additional motions, the deadline is July 12, he said.

According to the criminal complaint, six young people were alleged to have been victims of sex crimes at Novotney’s home.

During a court hearing March 29, Judge Peterson granted a protective order requested by Dunn County Assistant District Attorney Holly Wood-Webster and ordered that redacted reports, witness statements or other documents — with the names of the alleged victims and any other identifying information removed — be provided to Novotney for his review while he is being held in the Dunn County jail.

Wood-Webster said she had asked for the order to protect the identities of the alleged victims since Boyceville is such a small community and gossip “spreads like wildfire.”

Novotney remains in custody at the Dunn County jail on a $50,000 cash bond.