A Summersville man faces a felony charge after a Texas County Sheriff’s Department investigation of alleged inappropriate contact with a girl.
Emmett C. Cole III, 32, of Route 17 in Summersville, is charged with child molestation – fourth degree – child less than 17 years of age and offender greater than four years older (a class E felony).
According to a deputy’s report, a girl came to the sheriff’s department on May 13 wanting to make a report of sexual assault. She alleged that multiple incidents involving Cole had taken place at their residence since he returned from Saudi Arabia in 2021.
When the deputy questioned Cole about the claims, he reportedly denied them at first, but eventually admitted to inappropriately touching the girl.
The officer reported that Cole’s criminal history included a sexual assault conviction through the military in 2014.
He is held in the Texas County jail. Cash or surety bond in the case is set at $100,000.