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BY JESSICA STEPHEN
jstephen@kenoshanews.com

The case will continue against a former Silver Lake president and police officer charged for allegedly sexually assaulting teens.

Court Commissioner Frank Parise found enough evidence to continue the felony case against Ronald C. Wieland, 71, of Silver Lake, after hearing testimony Wednesday from his 15-year-old alleged victim.

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The boy described a visit earlier this month to Wieland’s home with another young man. The boys smoked marijuana in Wieland’s shed; the boy said Wieland provided the drug and smoking materials.

After they smoked, the boy said he had two shots of Southern Comfort whiskey and two Miller beers — drinks Wieland provided — and watched a movie on television.

Before they sat down, the boy said Wieland invited to get out of his jeans.

“He told me to change into shorts to get more comfortable,” the boy said.

The boy then “passed out” while watching “Terminator,” and said he awoke to find Wieland with his hand inside the shorts.

When Wieland got up and left the room, the boy told his friend what happened. Scared to run because of the guns in Wieland’s home, the boys decided to ask about smoking more marijuana in Wieland’s shed.

The boy said Wieland agreed to give them more pot, but insisted they smoke in his house.

Wieland then took the boy by the arm and said he needed to talk to him in his bedroom, where the boy again passed out. When he awoke, he said Wieland was performing oral sex.

When he was able, the boy and his friend ran, leaving behind his clothes, which police later found in Wieland’s home, according to a criminal complaint.

Testimony was not taken regarding a second alleged victim, who has claimed Wieland assaulted him in 2005.

That victim was prepared to testify Wednesday, but could not after Parise realized he had briefly represented the boy in a guardian case; Parise, a local attorney, was filling in for Commissioner Carl Greco.

Defense attorney John Anthony Ward asked Parise to recuse himself, and Parise agreed.

The hearing is set to continue Dec. 16.

Ward encouraged people to keep an open mind as Wieland’s case continues.

“They have to prove things,” Ward said. “There’s a lot of questions that have to be answered that weren’t answered at the hearing.”

Wieland left court without comment.

He posted a $20,000 cash bond and is out of jail.