Solon Springs man gets probation for sex crime

A Solon Springs man who sexually assaulted a teen during a gaming party sleepover in Solon Springs will spend two years on probation and 120 days in jail.

Dustin Lyle Botten, 24, pleaded guilty in Douglas County Circuit Court on Aug. 5 to one count of felony sexual assault of a child under 16 years of age, and no contest to a misdemeanor charge of exposing genitals.

Conditions of his probation includes that he has no contact with the victim, writes an essay of apology, undergoes a sex offender evaluation and follows recommendations. He was ordered to pay a fine and court costs totaling $374.

A deferred judgment of conviction was entered on the felony charge. If he stays out of trouble with the law, keeps the clerk of courts informed of his address and complies with the conditions of probation supervision through March 2015, the state will request that the charge be dismissed with prejudice.

The charges stem from a party that took place in March. According to the criminal complaint: A large group of people gathered at a Solon Spring residence to play card and video games. The adults were drinking alcohol, but the minors were not.

The victim went to bed around 3 a.m. When she woke up at 6 p.m., Botten was rubbing himself against her and he placed his hands inside her clothing. She told him she didn’t like what he was doing and refused to roll over or let him take her clothing off. Eventually, he stopped and fell asleep.

Botten told another person who was at the home that he dreamed that he touched the teen, and was upset to find out it was not a dream. Botten, the person said, had been drinking a lot that night.

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