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Bigfork Man Accused of Sexually Assaulting Child Takes Plea Deal

George Wilcoxen pleads guilty by way of Alford in assault case

By Justin Franz

A 72-year-old Bigfork man charged with felony sexual assault of a 6-year-old girl pleaded guilty by way of Alford in Flathead County District Court on Tuesday.

George Wilcoxen appeared in court on April 10 less than a year after he was accused of assaulting a young girl who was staying at his home during the summer of 2013.

An Alford plea occurs when a defendant maintains and asserts their innocence but acknowledges that the prosecution has enough evidence that, if presented to a jury, could result in a conviction.

Wilcoxen will be sentenced on Aug. 9. Wilcoxen signed a binding plea agreement with a joint recommended sentence of 10 years to the Department of Corrections with all time suspended. If Judge Heidi Ulbricht rejects the recommended sentencing at the August hearing, Wilcoxen will be given the opportunity to withdraw his plea and the case will go to trial.

During the hearing, Wilcoxen maintained his innocence and said he was taking the Alford plea because he wanted to avoid the risk of going to prison if the case went to trial. The punishment for felony sexual assault involving a minor is a minimum of 25 years in prison up to a life sentence.

According to court documents, a woman called the Flathead County Sheriff’s Office in July 2015 to report that Wilcoxen had sexually assaulted her daughter in 2013. Detectives with the Flathead County Children’s Advocacy Center conducted a forensic interview with the girl who said she stayed at Wilcoxen’s home in the summer of 2013. During that visit, Wilcoxen allegedly took the girl into his bedroom, held her down and sexually assaulted her.

Wilcoxen was arrested and charged in August 2016. He pleaded not guilty at an arraignment later that month.

A prominent community member in Bigfork, Wilcoxen has volunteered for community events over the years, including dressing as Santa Claus during the holidays.

Wilcoxen will be required to undergo a psychosexual evaluation prior to sentencing.