Rice Lake man charged in Boyceville sexual assault case

By Cara L. Dempski

MENOMONIE — A Barron County man could spend up to 10 years and nine months in prison if convicted of one count each of third degree sexual assault and of sexual intercourse with a child.

A criminal complaint filed last Thursday by the Dunn County District Attorney’s office indicates Nicholas J. Rogalla, age 23 of Rice Lake, was charged after allegedly having sexual intercourse with a 17-year-old Boyceville girl without her consent in December 2016.

According to the criminal complaint, Boyceville police chief Greg Lamkin spoke with a family member of the alleged victim who informed him of a text message exchange between the 17-year-old and Rogalla indicating the defendant sexually assaulted the alleged victim in December 2016.

According to the complaint, the alleged victim indicated during a forensic interview conducted by Greg Lynch at the Chippewa Valley Child Advocacy Center that Rogalla seemed very nice when they were introduced, but was “expressive in ways that aren’t appreciated.”

The alleged victim described the defendant as “touchy,” and defined that as trying to touch areas that are “off limits.”

The complaint describes three separate incidents the alleged victim discussed with Lynch during the forensic interview. The first assault was at a farm, the second occurred in a vehicle in Boyceville, and the third occurred at her home.

The complaint also indicates the alleged victim said she felt terrified during the third incident, and that all three incidents involved Rogalla trying to touch her chest and from the waist down.

Online court records site indicate a bail bond hearing was held July 13, 2017. Dunn County Circuit Court Judge James Peterson set bail with a $1,000 signature bond and ordered Rogalla not to have contact with the alleged victim.

Third degree sexual assault is a class G felony in Wisconsin, and is punishable by a fine up to $25,000, 10 years in prison, or both. Sexual intercourse with a child who is not the alleged perpetrator’s spouse and has reached the age of 16 years is a class A misdemeanor. That carries a penalty of a fine up to $10,000, nine months imprisonment, or both.

Rogalla was scheduled to make an initial appearance before Judge Peterson in Dunn County Circuit Court at 10:45 a.m. August 8.