How Could You? Hall of Shame-James Norquay UPDATED

He is suspended without pay pending an independent investigation into the allegations.
Trooper charged with sex assault

Update: “Former state patrolman James M. Norquay of Monroe must to hire a criminal lawyer to face three felony counts alleging he repeatedly sexually assaulted a teen foster child, whom he later adopted.

That was the message from Green County Judge James R. Beer Wednesday, after Norquay appeared in court yet again without a lawyer – this time with a man at his side whom he told the court was “a friend.”

Norquay, 49, also was told to get a private attorney during his last hearing in February, in which Beer said the defendant was ineligible for a public defender, a point he reiterated in no uncertain terms during Wednesdays status hearing.

Beer said Norquay was “not indigent” in the court’s view and, since he has been terminated from the state patrol, is now eligible to receive proceeds from a $99,000 retirement fund and deferred compensation.

In the time since his last hearing, Norquay apparently petitioned the state appellate court for a stay in the proceedings related to his not having legal representation – a petition that was denied, according to testimony.

But despite that, Norquay again asked Beer for a public defender, saying he owes other attorneys money and has limited access to his financial accounts.

“Are you denying my request for a court appointed attorney?” Norquay asked Beer.

“If you have not gotten an attorney, it’s time to get an attorney,” replied the judge.

Norquay was previously suspended from the state patrol without pay, according to the Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation.

“I can confirm that (Norquay) is no longer employed by the state patrol,” DOT Spokeswoman Peg Schmitt said Wednesday.

Assistant Attorney General Dennis R. Krueger, who has been appointed special prosecutor in the case, told the court that it also would be in the state’s best interest for Norquay to be represented by counsel at trial.

According to previous testimony, Norquay also receives about $1,543 per month in connection with the adoption of two children, which is considered income.

The criminal complaint against Norquay alleges he repeatedly assaulted the then 15-year-old victim after she was placed in his home by Lafayette County Human services in November, 2008. About a year later, Norquay adopted the victim, who is now 18, and the abuse allegedly continued.

According to the complaint, the alleged victim “has been a past victim of sexual assault as a child and had made a false allegation of sexual assault against an adult male while under the supervision of Lafayette County Human Services.”

Norquay’s next hearing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m., March 30. ”

Norquay ordered to hire lawyer in teen sex-abuse case
[The Monroe Times 3/17/11 by Gary Mays]

“James M. Norquay Bound Over For Trial on Charges of Repeated Acts of Sexual Assault of a Child

Wednesday, March 30, 2011

MADISON – Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen announced that on Wednesday March 30, 2011, Green County Circuit Court judge James Beer found probable cause that JAMES M. NORQUAY committed sexual assaults against a child after a preliminary hearing.

Attorneys for the Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ), acting as special prosecutors for Green County filed a criminal complaint in Green County Circuit Court against James M. Norquay alleging 3 Counts of Sexual Assault Against a Child. The allegations are felony charges that carry a maximum penalty of 40 years imprisonment and a fine of $100,000 on each count.

The charges are the result of an investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). “Investigation and prosecution of cases involving those who prey on children are a high priority of the Department of Justice and we will continue to assist local law enforcement and prosecutors in child maltreatment investigations,” Van Hollen said. Individuals with information about alleged child maltreatment in Green County are encouraged to contact the Green County Sheriff’s Department. Individuals with information about this case can contact agent Lourdes Fernandez of DCI at 608-266-1671.

The criminal complaint alleges that James M. Norquay had sexual intercourse with a child who was placed in his home for foster care in 2008. Norquay subsequently adopted the child in November of 2009. A criminal complaint is a document alleging violation of the criminal law and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

Judge Beer bound the defendant over for trial and set the matter for arraignment in Green County Circuit Court for April 26, 2011 at 9 am. The defendant exercised his right to substitution against Judge Beer. The matter will be assigned to a circuit court judge for arraignment by the District Court Administrator for Green County.

Assistant Attorney General Dennis R. Krueger is representing the state as a special prosecutor for Green County.”

Wisconsin Department of Justice March 30, 2011 Notice

The criminal complaint filed February 4, 2011 can be read here.

April Arraignment

“James M. Norquay, 49, appeared on Tuesday with a lawyer at his side during his arraignment on sexual assault charges before Green County Circuit Judge Thomas J. Vale.

The court entered not guilty pleas, after Norquay’s attorney, Eric Schulenburg, stood mute on behalf of his client at Monday’s arraignment.

Norquay, a former state patrolman, is being charged with three felony counts of sexual assault against a child.

Norquay, of Monroe, has not been represented by counsel during several previous hearings on the charges, and unsuccessfully argued before judge James Beer that he should be granted a public defender. Norquay’s request for a substitution of judge was granted by Beer.

Assistant Attorney General Dennis R. Krueger, who has been appointed special prosecutor in the case, asked the court to grant Norquay’s defense time to review discovery documents submitted by the prosecution, which add up to over 4,000 pages.

The criminal complaint against Norquay alleges he had sexual intercourse with a child, then 15, after she was placed in his home by Lafayette County Human Services in November, 2008. About a year later, Norquay adopted the victim and the abuse allegedly continued.

Norquay’s attorney has requested at least 30 days for the review. Vale set a status conference for 9:30 a.m. May 26. That status conference will be conducted over the phone, since Schulenburg’s practice is in Madison.

Norquay remains free on $100,000 bond and has been ordered to have no contact with the alleged victim.

Norquay was initially suspended from his job without pay and later fired by the state patrol, according to Wisconsin Department of Transportation officials.

The three counts against Norquay include: Second degree sexual assault of a child, sexual assault of a child by foster parent or treatment foster parent; and incest with a child.”
Sex assault defendant pleads not guilty
[The Monroe Times 4/27/11 by Holly Ann Garey]

Update 2: “A former Wisconsin State Patrol trooper has been convicted on six counts of sexual assault of a child.

James Norquay, 49, of Juda was found guilty on Friday after a weeklong jury trial in Green County Circuit Court in Monroe.

Each felony charge carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison and a $100,000 fine.

According to a news release from the Wisconsin Department of Justice, the jury deliberated for four hours before returning guilty verdicts on all six charges.

Evidence presented at trial showed Norquay had sexual intercourse with a child, the release said.

Green County Circuit Judge Thomas Vale revoked Norquay’s bail following the guilty verdicts, and Norquay was taken into custody to await sentencing on Jan. 19.”

Former trooper convicted on six counts of child sexual assault
[The Capital Times 11/21/11 by Bill Novak]

Update 3: “A former state trooper will spend 20 years in prison for molesting a teenage foster child.

49-year-old James Norquay of Juda must also spend 15 years under extended supervision when he’s no longer behind bars.

A Green County jury convicted Norquay last November on 3 felony counts of child sexual assault by a foster parent, two counts of incest, and a charge of second-degree child sex assault.

State investigators said the incidents occurred at Norquay’s former home in the town of Clarno, where the girl was placed for foster care in late 2008 when she was 15.

The man adopted the girl a year later.

Officials said the molestation continued until January of last year, when the child was removed from the home following a state investigation.”

Ex-state tropper[sic] sentenced for molesting foster child
[WTAQ 1/20/12]

“Norquay will register as a sex offender and submit a DNA sample. He can have no contact with the victim or other children.”

UPDATE: Former Wis. Patrolman Sentenced for Sexual Assault
[NBC15 1/19/12]

REFORM Puzzle Pieces

It is hard to say if the homestudy was more thoroughly conducted if it would have ruled him out. Postplacement monitoring also might have been an issue. At least he is being held accountable for his actions.