West Chazy man facing more sex charges

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November 4, 2009

By ANDREA VanVALKENBURG The Press Republican Thu Nov 05, 2009, 05:01 AM EST

PLATTSBURGH — A West Chazy man has been indicted on new charges for allegedly engaging in sexual acts with a teenage boy.

John E. Wells Jr. was arrested again this week after a Clinton County grand jury returned the eight-count indictment against him.

The 58-year-old is accused of repeatedly engaging in sexual acts with the boy, who is now 16.

According to the indictment, the abuse began in April 2003 and continued until June 2007.

Authorities said Wells engaged in oral acts with the boy on several occasions and then forced the boy to perform sexual acts on him.

Wells is now facing six counts of first-degree criminal sexual act and a misdemeanor count of endangering the welfare of a child.

He was also charged with first-degree course of sexual conduct against a child.

Wells appeared in Clinton County Court this week and pleaded not guilty to the indictment.

He is due back in court for a conference Jan. 6.

Though his bail was reduced this week, Wells was still in custody Wednesday on $20,000 cash bail or $40,000 bond.

E-mail Andrea VanValkenburg at: avanvalkenburg@pressrepublican.com