Bigfork man pleads not guilty to sex assault
HILARY MATHESON | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 9 years, 11 months AGO
EDUCATION REPORTER Hilary Matheson covers education for the Daily Inter Lake. Her reporting focuses on schools, students, and the policies that shape public education across Northwest Montana. Matheson regularly reports on school boards, district decisions and issues affecting teachers and families. Her work examines how funding, enrollment and state policy influence local school systems. She helps readers understand how education decisions affect students and communities throughout the region. IMPACT: Hilary’s work provides transparency and insight into the schools that serve thousands of local families. | August 18, 2016 4:45 PM
A 71-year-old Bigfork man has denied sexually assaulting a 6-year-old girl.
George Wilcoxen on Tuesday pleaded not guilty to felony sexual assault before Flathead District Judge Heidi Ulbricht.
The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office took a report of the alleged sexual assault on July 22, 2015. According to court documents, the alleged victim was spending the night at Wilcoxen’s home in 2013 when he reportedly took her into his bedroom and assaulted her.
Wilcoxen was released on $20,000 bail. He is not allowed to have any contact with children under age 16 and must avoid all direct or indirect contact with the alleged victim and the victim’s family.
A jury trial is set to begin Jan. 17.
If found guilty of sexual assault, Wilcoxen could face life imprisonment and up to $50,000 in fines.
Hilary Matheson is a reporter for The Daily Inter Lake. She may be reached at 758-4431 or [email protected].
ARTICLES BY HILARY MATHESON
The art of self-defense — Apex Fitness and Martial arts offers jiujitsu to all ages and abilities
At Apex Fitness and Martial Arts in Evergreen, a class of young Brazilian jiujitsu students seated in a row waiting their turn to spar, or "rolling," with a classmate under the watchful eye of professor Rogério Marshall, a sixth-degree black belt from Brazil who came to Montana to teach the martial art.
Kalispell Public Schools to appeal verdict in Glacier High School hazing lawsuit
The Kalispell Public Schools board of trustees voted Friday to appeal a federal jury’s unanimous verdict finding that the school district retaliated against Kirk and Clifford Nance after they reported alleged sexual assault, harassment and hazing in the Glacier High School wrestling program.
Kalispell school trustees approve pay raises, contract renewals for nonunion school staff
The Kalispell Public Schools board of trustees has approved pay raises and contract renewals for nonunion district employees, from the superintendent to bus drivers.