Crime

Murphysboro teen charged with sexual assault of young girl

Joseph Romeo was released from Jackson County Jail this week after prosecutors dropped the charge against him of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child under the age of 13.
Joseph Romeo was released from Jackson County Jail this week after prosecutors dropped the charge against him of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child under the age of 13.

An 18-year-old Murphysboro man is facing charges of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child under the age of 13.

Joseph Romeo was charged with one count of predatory criminal sexual assault with a victim under the age of 13, a Class X felony, court records show.

The charge carries a sentence of between six and 60 years in prison.

Romeo is being held at the Jackson County Jail on $100,000 bond, said Capt. Michael O'Leary of the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.

O'Leary confirmed the girl was under the age of 13 but did not provide further details.

Mary Cooley: 618-239-2535, @MaryCooleyBND

This story was originally published April 12, 2018 at 11:40 AM with the headline "Murphysboro teen charged with sexual assault of young girl."

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