Ex-deputy pleads not guilty in sex assault case

WAUSAU – A former Lincoln County Sheriff’s deputy accused of molesting a 15-year-old girl pleaded not guilty to three charges Monday in Marathon County Circuit Court. But additional charges may still be on the way, prosecutors said.

Zachary Dorr, 34, of Nekoosa, was charged in May with 2nd degree sexual assault of a child, child enticement and exposing his genitals to a child after Dorr brought the girl to the May 9 wedding reception of two other deputies, where Dorr was seen giving the girl beer and kissing her, according to a report from the Marathon County Sheriff’s Department.

When confronted with the accusations, Dorr told his coworkers he actually attended the wedding with a 21-year-old woman who looked similar to the teen, the complaint said. The 15-year-old girl later told police she was at the wedding with Dorr, the complaint said.

The girl told officers she and Dorr met and exchanged phone numbers at a barbecue in Dorr’s neighborhood in May and began to contact each other on Facebook, the complaint said. The girl denied ever having sex with Dorr, but admitted the two had exchanged nude photos, the complaint said.

Prosecuting Attorney Theresa Wetzsteon said in court there may be more charges coming. Added charges would depend on what information is found in cell phone records and if that information would be enough to support more charges, she said.

Dorr remains in Marathon County Jail on a $10,000 bond, Wetzsteon said.

Reporter Raina Beutel can be reached at rbeutel@wausau.gannett.com or 715-845-0658. Find her on Twitter as @rainabeutel.