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The seven-year reduction handed down Wednesday to Joseph Kozlowski, 38, of La Crosse by La Crosse County Circuit Judge Dale Pasell was based on the lighter sentence given to the man prosecutors called the ringleader and the fact charges later were dropped against two others believed involved, according to court documents.
Kozlowski was among four men accused of giving the teen alcohol and drugs and sexually assaulting her in a North Side La Crosse apartment. He pleaded no contest in March 2007 to a reduced charge of second-degree sexual assault.
Co-defendant and ringleader Damian Wade, 31, of La Crosse was sentenced by Circuit Judge Ramona Gonzalez to a five-year prison term in February after a La Crosse County jury found him guilty of party to the crime of delivery of marijuana to a minor. He was given nine months in jail after pleading no contest to a reduced misdemeanor charge of having sex with a child older than age 16.
Wade’s November 2007 trial ended in a mistrial after the jury deadlocked on first-degree sexual assault.
Marcus Geller, 26, of La Crosse was sentenced to 2½ years in prison for giving the teen marijuana, but a sexual assault charge was dropped because the teen was uncertain he was involved. Charges against a fourth man also were dismissed.
While calling sexual assault cases “despicable,” Pasell said he doubted he would have given Kozlowski 17 years had he known Wade would be given six years and the district attorney’s office would drop charges on the other two, according to court records.
Anne Jungen can be reached at (608) 791-8224 or ajungen@lacrossetribune.com.
