Employee arrested on sexual assault charges

The Parthenon Staff Editor's note: The following story contains graphic content that may offend some readers.

A Marshall University physical plant worker is free on $100,000 bond after being arrested in Wayne County on charges of first degree sexual assault, incest, and sexual abuse of a family member, according to the Wayne County Municipal Court.

A spokeswoman for the Wayne County Circuit Court said the case of Daniel Ervin Kessick, supervisor of Building Trade 1, has been bound over to the Wayne County Circuit Court grand jury. The grand jury's next term will be Nov. 5 and 9.

Kessick, 40, of 1856 12th Ave., was arrested Aug. 10. Wayne County Circuit Court bailiff Mark Bradshaw said Kessick's case will be presented to the grand jury next month if there is enough evidence. If not, the case may be presented to the next grand jury in March.

The arrest warrant alleges Kessick touched his seven-year-old daughter inside her vaginal area on at least one occasion with his penis. The victimÕs medical records from a sexual abuse/assault examination revealed that she had an area of scar tissue on her hymeneal ring, according to the warrant.

The warrant also alleges Kessick touched his nine-year-old daughter inside her vaginal area with his fingers.

"The charges are alleged. They are not true," Kessick said. "Other than that, I have no other comment."

Kessick was also arrested. Aug. 8, 1999, on domestic battery charges. He was found guilty and fined $200.

On Nov. 13, 1996, Kessick was arrested on assault charges. The charges were dismissed at the request of the victim.

Dale Allman, director of the physical plant, said Kessick is an employee in the maintenance department and is still working.

"Since there are legal issues involved, I can make no further comments," Allman said.

Kessick has been a Marshall employee since January 1984, Jim Stephens, director of human resources, said.