Bond reduction denied for man accused of child sexual abuse
courtesy photo
Jessie Walking Eagle
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POLSON — A bond reduction was denied last week for a man charged with two counts of child sexual abuse and misdemeanor tampering with a witness.
Judge Kim Christopher denied a bond reduction from $50,000 for Jessie Lee Walking Eagle, 21, that was requested by defense attorney Britt Cotter. The 17-year-old alleged victim’s mother and sister testified on Feb. 27 and asked that Christopher not reduce the bond.
According to a court document, in November Walking Eagle sent a videotape of himself having intercourse with a 17-year-old female to a male friend of the female and threatened to send it to other third parties.
On Nov. 30, Walking Eagle allegedly tried to get the 17-year-old girl to withhold information from law enforcement and not participate in future legal proceedings after he found out that she had made a statement to law enforcement, according to a court document. Each count of child sexual abuse carries a maximum sentence of life in prison or 100 years.
Tampering with a witness carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. Walking Eagle, who last week pleaded not guilty, has an omnibus hearing scheduled for April 6 and a trial date of June 26.
