Conley pleads not guilty to assault

News today indicates that a Pickerel man has pleaded not guilty in the alleged assault of a young girl. James W. Conley, age 46, waived his right to a preliminary hearing and entered his plea. He is charged with repeated sexual assault of a child (felony) and sexual intercourse with a child. The felony charge holds a maximum prison sentence of 60 years. Court documents indicate that the sexual interactions took place over many years and began when the girl was 14 years old. The sex may have been consensual, but at that age the girl was not legally capable of giving consent. His next court appearance is set for May 20, 2013.