Shullsburg Man Charged With Sexual Assault

A Shullsburg man facing two felony counts of sexual assault will be back in Lafayette County Circuit for a Preliminary Hearing Wednesday (May 9th) Morning.  58 year old William M. Bearer, was arrested in early February after an investigation by the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department. The investigation began following a complaint from a family member about two vulnerable adults.  Bearer is charged with 2nd degree sexual assault/mentally ill victim, 3rd degree sexual assault, misdemeanor marijuana and drug paraphernalia possession.  He is the owner of a tavern in Gratiot.