Innocent plea heard in teenage sex case
Toolbox
Published: February 4, 2009
WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — A North Springfield man denied a charge Tuesday he sexually assaulted a 15-year-old girl.
Stephen E. Rounds, pleaded innocent in White River Junction District Court to sexual assault of a victim under 16, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
According to an affidavit filed with the court on Dec. 9, a representative with Department of Children and Families contacted Springfield Police to investigate a report of a sexual assault. Police interviewed the girl, who initially denied having sex with Rounds before admitting the two had sex in a vacant apartment in the complex where Rounds' mother lives in Ludlow, affidavits state.
The girl reportedly told police the sex was consensual and happened in November shortly after her 15th birthday, affidavits state.
After pleading innocent, Rounds was released without posting bail on conditions he have no contact with the girl, court records state.
— Staff and wire reports
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