A Galesburg man has pleaded not guilty to charges accusing him of sexually assaulting a minor inside a local home, tying the minor up in the home’s basement, then setting part of the home on fire.
That’s after a judge Monday afternoon found probable cause for Jason Fielder, 46, to be tried on counts of Attempted Murder, Aggravated Arson, Aggravated Criminal Sexual Assault, and Unlawful Restraint.
Galesburg Police and Fire were called to a home on Highland Avenue around 7:30 a.m. August 15th, and found a minor tied to a pillar in the basement with zip ties as fire was allegedly set just above.
The minor later told investigators Fielder entered the home earlier in the morning, tied them up, and then forced sex acts to be performed in a bedroom before the minor was taken to the basement, and part of the kitchen was set on fire.
A Galesburg Police detective claims the victim’s cell phone was found submerged in a kitchen sink, and Fielder’s phone was found at the Home Boulevard apartment he was later arrested at, and that home surveillance video showed Fielder there.
Fielder pleaded not guilty and asked for a trial by jury that could happen in mid-November. He remains jailed.
Another hearing is scheduled for October 8th. A pre-trial conference is scheduled for November 4th.
