Executive Summary
- Jordan Coyle charged with first-degree sexual assault of a child and interference with custody.
- Charges follow a September Amber Alert where the victim was found hiding in the woods with the suspect.
- Wisconsin State Crime Lab DNA evidence allegedly confirms sexual contact between Coyle and the 6-year-old.
- Coyle faces “persistent repeater” sentencing enhancers due to his criminal history.
Jordan Coyle, of Almond, Wisconsin, faces felony charges including first-degree sexual assault of a child and interference with child custody following a forensic investigation stemming from a September Amber Alert. Portage County District Attorney Cass Cousins announced the charges on Monday, confirming that Coyle, who had been residing in the same home as the 6-year-old victim, would appear in court for a bond hearing.
The investigation began in September when the 6-year-old child was reported missing, triggering an Amber Alert and a multi-agency response. According to law enforcement reports, the search spanned two days before authorities located Coyle and the victim hiding in a wooded area. At the time of the discovery, Coyle was arrested on a Department of Corrections warrant and has remained in custody while investigators processed evidence.
New developments in the case emerged after the Wisconsin State Crime Lab released forensic findings. Prosecutors state that DNA evidence obtained by the lab indicates Coyle had recent sexual contact with the victim. Based on this evidence, the District Attorney’s office has filed charges of first-degree sexual assault of a child, noting Coyle’s status as a “persistent repeater,” alongside the charge of interference with child custody.
In a press statement, District Attorney Cousins emphasized the gravity of the allegations, noting that the investigation confirmed the community’s “worst fears” regarding the child’s abduction. Cousins credited the collaboration between the Portage County Sheriff’s Office, local police departments, and the Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation for locating the child within 48 hours and securing the necessary evidence for prosecution.
Judicial Proceedings & Legal Context
The designation of a defendant as a “persistent repeater” under Wisconsin law typically allows the court to impose enhanced sentencing penalties if a conviction is secured, reflecting a history of prior serious offenses. This case highlights the critical role of forensic biology in bridging the gap between a physical arrest and the filing of specific sexual assault charges, particularly when the victim is a young child. As the case moves to the bond hearing phase, the court will determine pretrial release conditions based on the severity of the new charges and the defendant’s prior criminal record. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
