A Somerset, Wisconsin, man who sexually abused a girl in Freeborn County for several years was sentenced to nearly one year in jail Monday in Freeborn County District Court. 

Joel Michael Radjenovich, 72, was sentenced after he entered an Alford plea to second-degree criminal sexual conduct in February. An Alford plea means Radjenovich asserted innocence but acknowledged prosecutors had enough evidence to convict him.

Radjenovich was given credit for seven days served.

Judge Ross Leuning placed Radjenovich on probation for 10 to 25 years.

While on probation, Radjenovich will be registered as a predatory sexual offender and be expected to complete and follow recommendations of a psychosexual investigation, complete sex offender programming, including participating in individual and group therapy and following aftercare recommendations.

Radjenovich will not be allowed to have contact with anyone under 18 unless approved by his probation agent. He will also not be allowed to use or possess a computer, internet or any capable device, including cellphones and gaming systems, unless approved by his probation agent.

Court documents state Radjenovich sexually abused a girl from 2006 to 2014 in Clarks Grove. The abuse involved sexual penetration and contact.

Assistant Freeborn County Attorney Abigail Lambert said though Radjenovich entered an Alford plea, he admitted engaging in criminal sexual conduct during a pre-sentence investigation.

After sentencing, Stephanie Kibler, a family member of the victim, expressed appreciation for the sentence.

“We’re just happy that he got the max that we could do under the plea agreement,” she said.

Radjenovich was charged with four counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, a second count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, but those charges were dismissed at sentencing.

 

Read what happened over the weekend in the PM report here.