A Rio man is headed to trial on charges that he fondled three patients at a nursing home in 2007.

Kurt Johnson, 59, of Rio, stood mute Monday in Columbia County Circuit Court on three felony charges of second-degree sexual assault.

Judge James O. Miller entered pleas of not guilty and ordered the case to be set for trial.

Three co-workers at Golden Living Center in Wisconsin Dells, where Johnson worked as a certified nursing assistant, reported they saw him fondle three patients' breasts in separate incidents between September and December 2007. Two of the victims were in the Alzheimer's unit; one was incapable of communicating or showing a reaction, according to the criminal complaint.

The case is being prosecuted by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, which handles cases involving facilities receiving Medicaid funds.

Johnson could serve 120 years, including 75 years in prison, and pay a $300,000 fine. A trial date is not set.

sgreen@capitalnewspapers.com

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