A Lewis County man has been accused of sexually assaulting a child he was babysitting at the time.
Michael E. McCoy, 27, is charged with two counts of first-degree child molestation, each considered Class A felonies punishable by up to life in prison.
McCoy made a preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court on Thursday, April 16.
During the hearing, a judge maintained the $20,000 bail amount set in the arrest warrant and authorized a sexual assault no-contact order on behalf of the alleged victim, along with an order for McCoy to surrender any weapons within his possession.
McCoy’s defense attorney noted that McCoy had no criminal history and resided locally.
According to a probable cause affidavit, a deputy with the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office began investigating the case on Aug. 12, 2025, after being notified of a possible sexual assault that had occurred about five years earlier.
Charging documents list the alleged crimes as occurring on or about Feb. 18, 2019, or Feb. 21, 2021, or any date in between.
The affidavit indicates the alleged molestation took place in Doty.
According to the affidavit, the victim participated in a forensic interview on Aug. 12, 2025. The deputy reportedly interviewed McCoy on Aug. 23, 2025.
Based on the investigation, the Lewis County Prosecutor’s Office determined there was enough probable cause to charge the defendant.
On April 13, 2026, prosecutors signed and dated the charging documents against McCoy. The information was filed in Lewis County Superior Court the next day.
The court issued an arrest warrant on April 14.
Jail records indicate McCoy posted bail on April 16 following his preliminary appearance. He is scheduled for an arraignment on April 23.
