Sonkowsky pleads not guilty to child sex charges

An Oconto man charged in federal court with engaging in sexually explicit conduct with a minor and recording it pleaded not guilty Dec. 15 to the charge.

An indictment alleged that Rocky J. Sonkowsky, 32, used the minor for sex between May 25 and June 25, 2021.

On Wednesday, Magistrate James Sickel set Sonkowsky’s case for trial on Feb. 22. Assistant U.S. Attorney Daniel Humble told Sickel that the government’s case would take three days to try.

If convicted, Sonkowsky faces maximum penalties of 15-30 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, lifetime supervised release and a $5,000 special assessment if found to be indigent.

The government has sought forfeiture of electronic devices involved in the alleged offense.

Sonkowsky is currently in custody in state prison on a probation revocation, according to Humble.