By Lisa Pett

A 40 year-old Stevens Point man appeared in Portage County Court on Monday to face charges of 3rd degree sexual assault of a child.

The Stevens Point Police Department responded to a call at a residence on Fifth Avenue on Feb. 14, when the mother of a 12 year-old girl reported that Fernando Garcia had allegedly entered the girl’s room. According to the girl’s statement, Garcia entered her bedroom and pulled his pants down, exposing his genitals, and then tried to touch the girl.

It’s not currently clear why Garcia was in the home, as he does not live there, but Garcia did tell Judge John V. Finn he had been intoxicated. Garcia said he entered the girl’s room to ask how to turn on the lights.

He was booked into the Portage County Jail on February 14.

Assistant District Attorney Cass Cousins requested a cash bond, citing Garcia’s previous conviction in 2012 for lewd and lascivious behavior in Portage County, as well as various drug offenses dating back to 2004.

Judge John Finn ordered Garcia held on a $15,000 cash bond. Garcia remains in the Portage County Jail. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 2.