DODGE COUNTY (WITI) -- A 61-year-old man charged in connection with the repeated sexual assault of a 17-year-old girl -- a man who was found by police with a plane ticket to California in his pocket, has pleaded not guilty. This, as we're learning new charges have been filed against him.
Gary Koppen
61-year-old Gary Koppen faces six felony charges out of Dodge County -- filed on January 26th. Those charges include four counts of second degree sexual assault with use of force, and two counts of third degree sexual assault.
In a separate case, filed in Washington County, Koppen faces six felony counts of third degree sexual assault.
The charges Koppen faces out of Dodge County are for incidents that allegedly took place with the 17-year-old girl between October 2013 and January 2014.
"Now there is going to be accountability," Horicon Police Chief Joe Adamson said.
According to the criminal complaint, Koppen was living with the family of the victim in Dodge County. The victim told police that on multiple occasions Koppen made inappropriate contact with her. It wasn't until after she had "horrible nightmares" about the incidents that she revealed what happened to her parents and they went to the authorities.
Police reached out to Koppen by phone after the victim had talked with them. The complaint says "the first thing Koppen stated was, 'I am going to jail.'" When the officer asked why Koppen thought that, Koppen stated, "My ex-wife told me about all of the allegations." He refused at that time to come into the Horicon Police Department for an interview. Koppen indicated to police he had some "stuff to get done" in Milwaukee -- saying "don't come looking for me. I am a man of my word."
The Washington County Sheriff's Department later located Koppen -- and returned him to the Horicon Police Department.
"Two days later, he was released without charges," Chief Adamson said.
Law enforcement officials say prosecutors initially didn't feel they had enough evidence to file charges. Charges were eventually issued, and Koppen was found in St. Croix Falls on January 28th. In his pocket -- a plane ticket to California.
"The first thing he said when they got him in their handcuffs out of the Polk County Jail was 'I`m not a monster,' and that was the only thing he said the entire trip down. Five hours. 'I`m not a monster,'" Chief Adamson said.
When FOX6 News talked with Horcion police about Koppen, they mentioned a similar investigation was ongoing against Koppen in Slinger, and they indicated he could face charges out of Washington County. Those charges have now been filed.
In the Washington County case, Koppen has an initial court appearance scheduled for March 2nd. He'll be in court in Dodge County on March 10th for a scheduling conference.
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