Thursday 28th March 2024

A Marshall resident has been charged with a sex-related felony for allegedly having forcible sex with a juvenile on August 2, 2018.
According to a probable-cause statement, on October 10, the female, who was 13 years old at the time and 14 now, told a child-safe investigator in specific detail about an unwanted sexual encounter with 19-year-old Chase Matthew Watts.
On a post-Miranda recorded statement to authorities on October 11, Watts reportedly admitted to the sexual encounter. The statement says he admitted to having intercourse both with and without a condom, knowing the female was 13 years old.
According to online court documents, Watts has been charged with an Unclassified Felony for Statutory Rape or Attempted Statutory Rape in the First Degree- with a Person Less Than 14 Years of Age. Bond has been set at $100,000 cash or surety.
Watts appeared via video in custody and was arraigned on Monday, October 15. His cause has been continued for a counsel-status hearing at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, October 17, at Saline County Circuit Court.