Ronan man arraigned on felony sex crimes

POLSON — Robert Deneault appeared via closed circuit television in Judge Wall’s justice court Friday to be arraigned on charges of sexual intercourse without consent and sexual assault, both felonies. Deneault, 41, pleaded not guilty to the charges, each of which carries a maximum penalty of $50,000 fine, 100 years to life in prison, and payment of restitution.

After reading Deneault his rights, Judge Wall listened to statements from County Prosecutor Mark Russell and counsel for Deneault, Colin Stephens, regarding bond. Deneault is currently being held in the Lake County Detention Center on $100,000 bond.

Russell presented the allegations against Deneault, at times reading from an affidavit given by Lake County Attorney Mitchell Young. Based on Young’s affidavit, Russell asked Judge Wall to hold bond at $100,000 and emphasized that both girls continue to feel threatened by Deneault and wish to have no contact with him. Stephens, in turn, requested that his client’s bond be reduced to $50,000 based on his clean record and his strong ties to his home state including a steady job at the Vitamin Plant in Arlee.

Judge Wall reduced bond to $50,000, but ordered that Deneault remain under house arrest, wear a GPS monitoring bracelet, and have no contact with any person under 18 years of age. He also stipulated that Deneault have no contact with any person involved in the case. Stephens predicted that his client would make bond Monday. The court has not yet set a date for Deneault’s preliminary hearing.