Jewell, 38, faces charges of molesting underage girl
Sexual misconduct charges have been filed against a local man accused of molesting an underage girl over an extended period of time.
The suspect, William Jewell Jr., 38, is charged with three counts of sexual battery by an authority figure. He faces three to six years in prison on each count if convicted.
According to arrest warrants sworn by district attorney investigator Jason Rowland, an investigation was launched after allegations of sexual misconduct were brought against Jewell. The allegations involved inappropriate contact with an underage girl. The exact age of the victim has not been released.
The contact, which reportedly involved inappropriate fondling of private areas, began about a year and a half ago and allegedly continued until Jewell was called in for questioning. Jewell reportedly admitted during questioning to inappropriate touching of the girl.
The charge which Jewell faces, sexual battery by an authority figure, is a relatively new law on the state books, enacted a few years ago by lawmakers to provide stiffer penalties for persons in places of authority over a minor. The law seeks to enhance punishment when a person in authority misuses that authority to take sexual advantage of an underage person. The exact position of authority Jewell had over his victim has not been released.