Man, 44, charged with sex offense
By Nick Hiltunen
Published in News on February 8, 2008 2:09 PM
A 44-year-old Seven Springs man stands accused of sexually assaulting a 6-year-old, the Wayne County Sheriff's Office reported.
William "Bill" Allen Fritz, Pineview Cemetery Road, faces two counts of first-degree sex offense with a child and one count of indecent liberties with a child.
An investigation by Detective Sgt. Tammy Odom led to warrants issued against Fritz late last week before his arrest on Thursday morning, authorities said.
Fritz is accused of victimizing a child belonging to a family he was acquainted with, authorities said.
A first-degree sex offense is defined as any sexual act with a child victim under the age of 13 and the defendant is 12 years old and at least four years older than the victim, the law states.
An offense might also qualify as first degree if a weapon is used, if serious injury is caused or if the offense is aided and abetted by one or more other people, according to state law.
Fritz was jailed under $100,000 bond, Capt. Tom Effler reported in a news release.
State law defines all of Fritz's charges as "sexually violent" offenses, which means if convicted Fritz would face a 10-year registration requirement managed by the state's offices of sheriff.
First-degree sex offenses are B1 felonies, punishable by a minimum 16 years of incarceration up to life imprisonment if convicted.
Taking indecent liberties with children is a Class F felony punishable by a a minimum 13 months in prison up to more than three years incarceration if convicted.