More time needed for discovery in child pornography case
EAU CLAIRE — Trial for a previously-convicted sex offender accused by authorities of possessing more than 15,000 images of child pornography won't happen soon as both sides are wrestling with the amount of evidence.
Wade Hansen, 57, Fall Creek, faces two separate cases. In October he was charged with repeated sexual assault of a child and with incest. Prosecutors brought a much larger indictment in February, listing 26 separate counts.
The latter case involves a dozen counts of possession of child pornography, five counts of sexual exploitation of a child, four counts of first degree child sexual assault involving a child under the age of 13, four counts of incest and one count of sexual exploitation of a child. Prosecutors are seeking enhancements for being a persistent repeater on each count.
The amount of prison time possible in the case is mind boggling. The first degree assault charges are Class B felonies which could carry as much as 60 years in prison on each count. Ten of the charges are Class C felonies, carrying the potential for 40 years in prison.
All told, the charges in the two cases carry as much as 980 years in prison, if Hansen was to be convicted on all counts, sentenced to the maximum length, and ordered to serve the sentences consecutively.
Court records show that during a hearing Tuesday the two sides said they "are still working through exchanging/reviewing discovery." A new status conference was scheduled for September.
Hansen was previously convicted of repeated acts of sexual assault against the same child in Marathon County. That case dates to 2003, and he was sentenced to 20 years' probation.
According to the criminal complaint, a young relative accused Hansen of sexual assault, spurring the investigation. When authorities accessed his electronic devices as part of that investigation they found more than 15,000 images depicting child pornography, including one labeled "It's ok to be a pedo." One device alone had more than 10,700 images. That discovery led to the second indictment.
Hansen pleaded not guilty in May.
