Cell phone reveals illegal sex encounter with a 14 year old girl.

Bayfield County man is facing charges in connection with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in the truck where he was living.

Darin John Meierotto, 36, faces one count of sexual assault of a child under 16 years of age and possession of a switchblade knife. He made an initial appearance in Douglas County Circuit Court on Friday.

According to the criminal complaint:

The girl had run away from home in rural Douglas County around midnight Thursday to see Meierotto, and he dropped her off at home about 5 a.m. that morning. The girl told Detective John Parenteau of the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department the two had sexual contact during that time. She said she was a willing participant and denied any force, alcohol or drugs were involved in the incident.

Meierotto told Parenteau that he had picked the girl up in his truck because he is genuinely concerned for her. He denied having sexual contact with her, but said he uses meth on a daily basis and really couldn’t remember if the two had sex or not.

A cell phone identified as the girl’s was found in the truck, according to the complaint. Several photos on the phone showed the 14-year-old kissing Meierotto. Text messages in the phone’s memory made reference to the owner of the phone having sex with Meierotto, the complaint stated.

A large switchblade knife was also found in the truck.

A preliminary hearing was scheduled for Wednesday and cash bail was set at $20,000. Conditions of bail include no contact with the 14-year-old, her family or their residence, no possession or use of any drugs or paraphernalia and no dangerous weapons