Booking photo for John M. Janisse (Courtesy: Cache County Jail)
LOGAN — A 24-year-old Nibley man accused of sexually assaulting another inmate in the Cache County Jail has pleaded “not guilty.” John M. Janisse entered his plea after waiving his right to a preliminary hearing, where a judge would have determined if there was substantial evidence to bind the suspect over for trial.
Janisse was in 1st District Court Wednesday morning. He was previously charged with forcible sexual abuse, a second-degree felony; and lewdness by a sex-offender, a third-degree felony.
Public defender Ryan Holdaway explained that they were waiving the hearing after receiving a plea agreement from prosecutors. He asked for additional time to research the impacts the deal would have on his client.
According to a jail deputy’s report, the sheriff’s office received a complaint from an inmate in October. The alleged victim claimed Janisse exposed his genitals to him and, in a separate incident, touched the buttocks of the alleged victim with his genitals.
Investigators later interviewed Janisse. He admitted to both allegations.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Judge Brian Cannell said he would allow Janisse time to consider prosecutor’s offer. He ordered him to appear again March 2.
Janisse was convicted of unlawful sexual activity with a minor, a third-degree felony in 2017. He could now face up to 15 years in prison on the new charges.
will@cvradio.com
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