Sundance man charged with sexual abuse of a minor

A Sundance man faces multiple charges related to sexual abuse of a minor in the second and third degrees. Harry Lee Ballard III allegedly attempted to initiate sexual contact with a juvenile female several times over the course of three years.

On July 9, Crook County Sheriff’s Office received information from an out-of-state department of family services regarding a possible sexual assault that occurred in this county.

The victim was brought in for a forensic interview by the local police department and the sheriff’s office received the audio from that interview on July 23. In that interview and the original complaint, the victim allegedly disclosed three separate events that occurred in Crook County.

According to court reports, the juvenile female victim stated the abuse began around three years ago..

Ballard has been bound over to District Court on one charge of attempted sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree (defined as “an act which was a substantial step towards engaging in sexual contact”), carrying a maximum penalty of 20 years’ incarceration or a $10,000 fine, or both. He has also been charged with three counts of sexual abuse of a minor in the third degree (defined as taking “immodest, immoral or indecent liberties”), a felony charge carrying a maximum penalty of 15 years of imprisonment, a $10,000 fine or both.

Ballard’s wife, Bobbie Jo Ballard, also faces charges in District Court related to complaints from the Department of Family Services that she violated court orders regarding the case.