Former deputy pleads not guilty to sex charge
Photo 
Steven Stenulson
JANESVILLE — The former Rock County sheriff’s deputy accused of sexually assaulting a teen at a Halloween party pleaded not guilty Wednesday to felony third-degree sexual assault.
Steven L. Stenulson, 39, of 1934 Liberty Lane, Janesville, was arrested Monday, Nov. 2, after the teen told police she awoke from a nap at a Halloween party in Milton and found an off-duty deputy assaulting her, according to the criminal complaint. The two know each other.
Stenulson resigned from the sheriff’s office in the midst of the allegations.
Stenulson appeared in Rock County Court on Wednesday with his attorney, Jack Hoag. The Dane County District Attorney’s Office is prosecuting the case because Stenulson is a former Rock County employee.
Judge James Daley scheduled a motion hearing for May 26.
At the preliminary hearing, the woman testified that Stenulson flirted with her several times at the party, which included underage drinking.
Stenulson asked her if she was dressed as a naughty pirate and at one point slapped her on the bottom, the woman said.
She was drinking beer and vomited in the bathroom before going upstairs to sleep, the woman said.
She said she awoke to find Stenulson lying on a mattress with her, his hand under her clothes, touching her “inappropriately.”
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By GAZETTE STAFF 04/26/12
