Judge Finds Probable Cause Against UWRF Professor in Child Sexual Assault Case

University of Wisconsin-River Falls professor Thomas Barnett will face trial on felony charges of child sexual assault and false imprisonment, St. Croix County Judge Eric Lundell decided Tuesday morning.

The charges against Barnett stem from an .

Barnett was indicted after Lundell heard testimony from two juvenile witnesses and assistant manager Wendy Jacob, and announced he had “probable cause to determine that a felony had occurred” on the evening of Aug. 16.

Jacob testified that she did not witness a crime but that “something didn’t feel right” when she saw Barnett talking to the then 13-year-old female alleged victim. Jacob testified she then spoke with a colleague to confirm that the girl speaking “closely” to Barnett was not his daughter.

She testified that she immediately approached the alleged victim and asked if the man had harassed her. The victim’s 14-year-old then boyfriend allegedly replied to Jacob, “You gotta call the cops.”

Jacob declined comment after the hearing.

Barnett’s defense attorney Timothy O’Brien was not concerned that Jacob’s testimony damaged his client’s chances for acquittal.

“I don’t want to speculate on how someone felt in this case,” O’Brien told Patch in a post-hearing interview.

O’Brien did however talk about the impact the trial was having on his client.

“He’s worried about the allegations. His reputation has already been affected,” O’Brien said. “But (Barnett) is looking forward to the trial where all the evidence can be presented. We’re confident the truth will come out.”

District attorney Frank Collins was unprepared to comment after the hearing.

Barnett’s arraignment is scheduled for Nov. 10 at 2 p.m. at the .