BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A police chief in a southeastern North Dakota town is charged with sex crimes in three southwestern counties, including allegations he had sex with a minor under the age of 15.

Fifty-two-year-old James Watson is the chief of the LaMoure Police Department. He was charged Friday in Stark, Hettinger and Golden Valley counties. The charges date back to 2011.

Watson faces single charges of continuous sexual abuse of a child in both Stark and Golden Valley counties. Those complaints say Watson engaged in sexual contact or sexual acts on at least a weekly basis.

Watson is charged in Hettinger County with three counts of gross sexual imposition.

Court documents do not list a lawyer for Watson, who is jailed in Jamestown. A court hearing has not been scheduled.

 

Previously…

LaMoure —  According to a report Thursday evening on WDAY TV, LaMoure Police Chief  53 year old James G. Watson is being held in the Stutsman County Correctional Center.

The Bureau of Criminal Investigation  made the arrest Thursday evening, possibly in western North Dakota.

Authorities would only  say the charge against him is gross sexual imposition.

More information is expected  when the formal criminal complaint is released on Friday.