BOZEMAN — Kenneth Allen Perez of West Yellowstone, charged with sexual assault of a young girl, had his bond set at $75,000 on Thursday in Gallatin County Justice Court.
According to charging documents, in July a Gallatin County Sheriff’s deputy was notified of a sexual assault by the West Yellowstone Police Department.
A juvenile girl reportedly told her parents that Perez, who was the family’s next door neighbor, had touched her over her clothing. The incident happened in the foyer area of an apartment building where the girl and her family lived. The girl reportedly told her parents about the incident after Perez went to his apartment.
During the investigation, the deputy learned that two more juveniles may have been sexually assaulted by Perez, a 4-year-old girl and a 5-year-old boy, who Perez would often babysit.
When questioned, Perez initially claimed he “poked” the girl on her stomach, but later stated it was possible that he may have accidentally touched her vagina outside her clothing, a claim he also made to investigators about the second female victim.
Court documents state that Perez made several inconsistent statements and omissions throughout the interview, which he later admitted to when confronted.
The court ordered that Perez can not have any contact with the victims or their families. Perez can also not be within 1,500 feet of the victim’s residence and cannot be in contact with anyone under the age of 18.
His preliminary hearing is set for September 27.
Perez, 52, could face up to 100 years in prison and $50,000 in fines if convicted.
