A Dickinson man charged with committing multiple sexual acts with a 12-year-old had an initial appearance in Stark County District Court Wednesday.
Chon E. Tackett, 37, was arrested Monday and charged with four counts of gross sexual imposition, a Class AA felony, and terrorizing, a Class C felony.
The maximum sentence for a Class AA felony is life in jail without parole, and the mandatory minimum sentence is 20 years in jail, and/or $100,000 fine.
Judge Dann Greenwood set bond at $250,000 cash and ordered no contact with the victim or the victim's family.
Assistant State's Attorney Amanda Engelstad recommended the high cash bond based on the "incredibly serious charges" and the danger Tackett poses to the community.
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Tackett protested the high bond in court Wednesday.
"I don't believe I'm any threat to society at all. I didn't do these crimes," Tackett said. "I don't think it's fair to keep me in here, especially on such trumped up charges."
The criminal complaint alleges Tackett engaged in a sexual act with a minor when his genitals made contact with the the victim's mouth. An additional charge alleges that Tackett's genitals made contact with the victim's genitals.
The final charge alleges that Tackett compelled the victim to engage in the sexual acts "by force or by threat of imminent death, serious bodily injury or kidnapping."
The acts took place in Stark County in October.
Tackett was also charged with terrorizing after he "threatened the victim and her family's safety," according to the complaint.
Tackett has previous Dunn County convictions from 2012 of driving while license is suspended and leaving the scene of an accident involving damage, both Class B misdemeanors. A charge of driving under the influence of alcohol was dismissed.
Greenwood upheld the state's recommendation, saying he was aware of the evidence in the case, which the state had provided in its request for a search warrant.
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"There is strong evidence against the defendant as concerns these charges," he said. "The charges are as serious as they come."
A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Jan. 13 at 2:30 p.m.
