READSTOWN, Wis. (AP) – A judge in Vernon County has entered not
guilty pleas for a police chief accused of sexual assault and
misconduct in office.
     Shay Larson stood mute in court Tuesday. He’s facing two felony
counts and six misdemeanor charges. Prosecutors say Larson used his
position as chief in Readstown to leverage sexual favors while he
was on duty and lied to investigators.
     The 30-year-old Gays Mills man was arrested in March. Larson is
Readstown’s only law enforcement officer. He was placed on
administrative leave after an investigation began last September.
     The La Crosse Tribune (http://alturl.com/vcrvz ) says Larson’s
attorney, Luis Delgado, says he plans to file a motion to dismiss
the charges. Prosecutors say Larson encouraged a woman to drive
after she had been drinking to rendezvous with him at the village
park, among other accusations.
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     Information from: La Crosse Tribune,
http://www.lacrossetribune.com