Plea deal still in the works for Novotney
By LeAnn R. Ralph
MENOMONIE — A plea deal is still 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, along with his attorney, Matthew Krische, appeared in Dunn County Circuit Court July 12 before Judge James Peterson.
Krische told the court that the case is still not resolved and that he must speak more extensively with Dunn County Assistant District Attorney Holly Wood-Webster about the resolution she is offering.
Krische noted that he had only spoken briefly with Wood-Webster prior to the court hearing and that he has some “areas of concern” about the deal she is offering to Novotney.
The evidence in the case is “voluminous,” Krische said, and in addition to areas of concern about the possible plea deal, he is still reviewing the evidence.
Wood-Webster told the court that based on her conversations with Krische, she believes the case will likely resolve before it goes to trial.
“I do not want to alarm the victims by setting a trial date,” Wood-Webster said.
If Novotney pleads guilty or no-contest, Wood-Webster said she would expect that a pre-sentence investigation (PSI) would be ordered by the court.
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 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.
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 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.
Novotney remains in custody at the Dunn County jail on a $50,000 cash bond.
Judge Peterson set the next court date for Novotney on September 1.
