Morton man Kenneth R. Sanwald, 35, faces up to life in prison on charges that he committed child rape over the course of two years, from 2022 to 2024.
Sanwald’s alleged crimes include three counts of first-degree rape and two counts of first-degree child molestation, all class A felonies.
The Chronicle is limiting details of the investigation to protect the identity of the alleged victim.
According to court documents, law enforcement first became aware of the alleged offenses in October 2024 when the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a possible rape in Morton. A forensic interview was conducted at the Youth Advocacy Center in November 2024.
Sanwald was officially charged for the crimes on Sept. 25, 2025. An arrest warrant was issued that day with a bail amount of $25,000.
On Oct. 8, Sanwald was arrested and booked into Lewis County Jail. He made his preliminary appearance in Lewis County Superior Court the following day.
An arraignment is now scheduled for Oct. 16, with Albert Didcock assigned to represent Sanwald for future proceedings.
