Wisconsin man receives probation sentence for child molestation

(ABC 6 News) – UPDATE: An Ellsworth, Wisconsin man was sentenced to 2 years’ probation for sexually touching a Rochester child.

If David Beach Candee completes said probation without issue, his 5th-degree criminal sexual conduct charge will be dismissed, Olmsted County judge Kathy Wallace ruled Aug. 20.

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(ABC 6 News) – An Ellsworth, Wisconsin man entered a petition to plead guilty to sexually touching a Rochester child Monday, Feb. 12.

David Beach Candee, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of 5th-degree criminal sexual conduct–nonconsensual sexual contact — in exchange for up to two years’ probation and 10 days in jail.

Candee entered an Alford plea, a type of guilty plea wherein the defendant maintains that they are innocent, but concedes that the prosecution has enough evidence to convict them in a court of law.

An additional charge of 4th-degree criminal sexual conduct against a child under age 14 will be dismissed at sentencing, according to Candee’s plea agreement.

In March of 2022, Rochester police spoke to the child, who said that Candee had made sexual comments about her chest, touched her sexually while they were away from other adults, then attempted to “get (the child) to go back to the house with him.”

Candee’s sentencing is scheduled for May 1, 2024.