Columbia County man charged with child molestation is in North Carolina with victim

(Columbia County) A Columbia County man charged with sexual assault of a child was found out of state with the victim. Colin O’Brion, of rural Pardeeville, was charged with assault in August. The Columbia County court issued him a $2,500 bond and prohibited him from contacting the victim.

The 19-year-old was due back in court on September 27 after posting bail, but failed to appear and a nationwide arrest warrant was issued. Authorities also learned that the teenage girl, who O’Brion was not allowed to have contact with, was believed to have run away and was missing from home.

Sheriff’s officials began working with local, state and federal law enforcement partners in numerous states to try to locate O’Brion and the juvenile. On October 1, O’Brion was located with the victim in North Carolina. He was taken into custody and efforts are underway to reunite the teen with her family in Wisconsin.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed in this case. The Columbia County Sheriff’s Office thanks the Wisconsin Department of Justice and all out-of-state law enforcement agencies who assisted in the search for O’Brion and the victim.