By Lisa Pett

A New Hope man is being held in the Portage County Jail on $25,000 cash bond as he faces charges of 1st and 2nd degree sexual assault of a child.

Alex Platta, 29, was arrested after the victim came forward to report that Platta had engaged in sexual conduct with her while she and her family were living with him at his New Hope residence.

According to the criminal complaint, the alleged incidents took place between March and November of 2014, when the victim was 13 and 14 years old.

In interviews with an agent of the Child Advocacy Center, the girl said Platta began touching her and it eventually turned into a sexual relationship. She also said that she and Platta would watch pornographic movies on his tablet computer and have sex while their families were asleep.

Platta was questioned by police and admitted that “he knew he should not have a sexual relationship with someone so young but that he couldn’t restrain himself,” according to the complaint.

In that interview, he admitted that they had sex on at least 20 occasions.

According to criminal records, Platta was convicted of 4th degree sexual assault of a 14-year old girl in Plover in 2006. In that case he pleaded no contest and was sentenced to probation and community service.

Platta made his initial appearance via video from the Portage County Jail. He is due back in court on September 28.