Erick Antonio Ruiz Cortez
NEILLSVILLE, WI (WSAU) — An Athens man has reached a plea deal with the state for one count of physical abuse of a child.
Court records show Erick Antonio Ruiz Cortez entered a no contest plea to one felony count of physical abuse of a child, causing great bodily harm. Three additional child sex crimes were then dismissed but read into the record, including repeated sexual assault of the same child and exposing intimate areas to a child.
The 38-year-old was accused of sexually assaulting his girlfriend’s child, then threatening them to keep quiet about the incidents. But another student informed authorties about the incidents in early 2025, leading to an investigation and arrest.
A two-day trial had been scheduled for April 30th and May 1st. That has now been canceled.
Ruiz Cortez now faces up to 15 years in the state prison system and $50,000 in fines at sentencing, which has not been scheduled. He was facing up to 60 years on the most serious count (repeated sexual assault) alone.
Further court action will be scheduled on Thursday.
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