Thirty-six-year-old convicted of felony sexual assault charges

Sentencing is set Aug. 12 for 36-year-old O’Neill man found guilty of committing two counts of first-degree sexual assault (subject another person to sexual penetration, knowing or should have known that the victim was mentally or physically incapable of resisting or appraising the nature of his or her conduct), Class 2 felonies committed between July 1, 2023, and Jan. 18 this year.

Michael L. Ford pleaded no contest to charges on an amended complaint May 13, pursuant to a plea deal with prosecutor Brent Kelly. Ford also admitted violating a probation/post-release supervision order in a 2022 case.

Kozisec ordered a presentence report be prepared by the probation office and ordered Ford to submit to an evaluation by Dr. Mitchell, “addressing facts and circumstances surrounding the crime as well as his prior conduct of a similar nature and determine his risk for recidivism and whether he is a sexual predator.”

He was charged with two Class 1B felony counts of sexual assault of a child under 12 when he was arrested Jan. 25. Holt County Court judge Kale Burdick ordered the arrest documents sealed Jan. 30, due to identifying information regarding the minor victim.

Holt County public defender Rod Smith was appointed as counsel. He held a bond review hearing Feb. 6, setting bond at $1 million, 10% cash. Bond conditions also include a provision for no contact with the alleged victim nor the victim’s mother. Ford will need to post $100,000, to be released from the jail.