Thicklen enters not guilty plea to sex assault charges

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- 25-year-old Xavier Thicklen pleaded not guilty on Thursday, February 13th to five counts of second-degree sexual assault by correctional staff.

Thicklen is a correctional officer accused of having sexual contact with an inmate.

The court on Thursday found there was probable cause in the case -- and bound Thicklen over for trial.

The 22-year-old female inmate, in custody for a robbery case, notified jail staff in December of assaults that allegedly took place between April and November.

The woman claims to have been assaulted on five separate occasions saying Thicklen got her alone by taking her to the jail clinic or telling her she had a visit from her attorney.

Thicklen faces up to 40 years imprisonment on each of the five counts. He is scheduled to be back in court on Tuesday, March 4th.