Austin man sentenced to prison time on two felony criminal sexual conduct charges in Mower County District Court

An Austin man who sexually abused a teenage female who he knew on several occasions when she was 13 years old, and again when she was 15 years old has been sentenced to prison time in Mower County District Court.

31-year old Jerome Anthony Watkins was sentenced Friday to just over 10 years in prison for a felony charge of 2nd degree criminal sexual conduct, significant relationship, victim under 16 years of age.  Watkins was also sentenced to three years in prison for a felony charge of 2nd degree criminal sexual conduct, sexual contact, victim 13 to 15 years of age, significant relationship.  Watkins pleaded guilty to the two charges on October 18th, 2021, and he was convicted the same day.  Judge Jeffery Kritzer determined that Watkins may serve the two sentences concurrently.  

Felony charges for 1st degree criminal sexual conduct, victim 13-15 years of age, position of authority, 1st degree criminal sexual conduct, victim 13-15 years of age, significant relationship, multiple acts, and for 2nd degree criminal sexual conduct, victim 13-15 years of age, position of authority in the case were all dismissed with Watkins’ guilty pleas.