Island Resident Charged With Sexually Assaulting Child
David Creed •
An island resident was arraigned in Nantucket District Court Wednesday afternoon on indecent assault and battery and rape charges involving an 11 year old girl, who said the assaults occurred on Nantucket and in Wisconsin.
James F. Russell, 46, of Nantucket was arraigned on five June 11th charges of indecent assault & battery on a child under the age of 14 charges, four aggravated rape of a child with at least a 10 year age difference charges, and two aggravated rape of a child after certain previous convicted offenses charges. He had not-guilty pleas entered on his behalf and was ordered to return to court November 30th for a probable cause hearing, as the case is likely heading to the Nantucket Superior Court.
The Cape & Island's District Attorney's Office requested $750,000 cash bail and that Russell be ordered to stay away and have no contact with the alleged victim, her family, and all children under the age of 14. They also requested Russell be required to wear a GPS monitoring device. While arguing for the large sum of bail, the prosecution said Wisconsin prosecutors anticipate filing charges against Russell, and that Russell has previously indicated to the alleged victim's mother he may move back to Wisconsin. They also stated Russell has volunteered at schools and other programs where children are enrolled in the past.
Russell's attorney - Rob Moriarty - requested $10,000 cash bail with all the conditions requested by the commonwealth, arguing Russell has no criminal record, has been cooperative throughout the process, and is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Nantucket District Court Judge John Julian set bail at $20,000 cash, $200,000 surety with all of the requested conditions from the commonwealth.
According to the police report, Nantucket Police Detective Amanda Schwenk was notified by Danica Gordon, a Wisconsin Police Detective, of a possible sexual assault that may have occurred between June 11th and July 2nd of this year.
The alleged victim is an 11 year old girl, and according to the police report the alleged victim told her mother that Russell sexually assaulted her while she visited the island in June. The alleged victim also told her mother that Russell used a “Special iPad” to take photographs and videos of her while naked during the visit. The alleged victim stayed in a basement with one bed and bath, and the mother confirmed the girl was staying at Russell’s home from June 10th until they flew back on July 2nd.
The mother told police that Russell and the alleged victim know each other from living in Wisconsin together, and that the families have stayed in contact even after Russell moved to the island.
A forensic interview was conducted with the alleged victim at the Safe Harbor Child Advocacy Center in Madison, Wisconsin, and the victim disclosed previous sexual assaults by Russell in Wisconsin. The alleged victim referred to the assaults as “sex stuff” and that it happened on eight different days.
The alleged victim was asked if she remembered what occurred on Nantucket and she explained various ways in which Russell was sexually assaulting her while also taking videos and photos of some of the acts. The alleged victim said, “some photos were taken in Wisconsin and some were taken in the Nantucket home on the basement bed.”
*All defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty under a court of law*