Following three days of trial, a Black River Falls man has been convicted of six offenses, including kidnapping and sexual assault.
Paul A. Sylvester (53) has been found guilty of 2nd degree sexual assault, kidnapping, false imprisonment, operating a motor vehicle without owner’s consent, theft, and disorderly conduct, according to a release by the Jackson County District Attorney on Friday.
In May, Sylvester entered the victim’s vehicle while in a parking lot in Sparta, the criminal complaint states.
There, he attacked the victim when she tried to pepper spray him, before he drove the victim in her vehicle to a secluded area of Jackson County Forest. The victim was sexually assaulted and stranded after Sylvester made off with her vehicle.
The victim was found the following morning by a pedestrian who called 911. She testified that she thought Sylvester was going to kill her.
Sylvester also had smashed the victim’s phone and prescription glasses.
District Attorney Emily Hynek prosecuted. Bond has been revoked, and Sylvester was remanded to Jackson County Sheriff custody until sentencing—Aug. 8 in Jackson County Circuit Court.