An Onalaska man accused of sexually assaulting a juvenile in his care in January 2020 is now facing felony charges in Lewis County Superior Court.
The victim, who is now an adult, reported the sexual assault to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office in January of 2024, according to court documents.
She told investigators she did not report the assault when it happened “for fear of being kicked out of the house, being homeless, ‘or worse,’” according to court documents.
The man, identified in court documents as Jerrol Ernest McFarland, 47, was charged March 18, 2024, with one count each of third-degree child molestation and third-degree rape of a child.
When a detective asked him “if he would be willing to answer some questions concerning the time” the victim was in his care, McFarland allegedly said “all he could say was ‘it never happened’ and all further communication would have to go through his attorney,” according to court documents.
The detective noted he “did not tell Jerrol what the investigation or questions were regarding, and Jerrol did not clarify what ‘it’ was which ‘never happened,’” according to court documents.
Bail was set at $25,000 in an arrest warrant issued on March 18. McFarland posted that bail and was out of custody for his preliminary hearing in Lewis County Superior Court on March 20.
A no-contact order protecting the victim is in place.
Arraignment is scheduled for Thursday, April 11.
