Ziesmer pleads not guilty to girl's rape Ziesmer pleads not guilty to girl's rape
Edward Ziesmer is charged with two counts of sexual battery on a victim under 12 and one count of kidnapping
By Nicholas P. Alajakis (Contact)
Tuesday, February 28, 2006
A convicted sex offender pleaded not guilty Monday to the rape and kidnapping of a young Bonita Springs girl last month.
Edward Ziesmer, 61, formerly of 27951 New York St., No. 3, Bonita Springs, entered the plea during his arraignment in front of Lee County Circuit Judge James R. Thompson.
He is charged with two counts of sexual battery on a victim under 12 years old and one count of kidnapping.
Ziesmer was arrested Jan. 28 after Lee County sheriff's deputies responded to a call of a man grabbing a young girl off the street near Iowa Street and Bonita Beach Road.
When deputies arrived they found Ziesmer with the girl in a nearby wooded area, just yards from his trailer home. Reports state he had sexually assaulted the girl, described as "considerably" younger than 12, before the deputies arrived.
Ziesmer's attorney, public defender Joseph William Miskovich, could not be reached for comment Monday on his client's plea.
Ziesmer has a history as a sex offender. Court records show he spent a year in jail in the late 1980s for sexually abusing his then 7-year-old niece while living in Baraboo, Wis. As part of his probation, Ziesmer was instructed to register as a sex offender for life, but he had not done so since moving to New York Street.
His arrest sparked community criticism about the safety of some neighborhoods. Ziesmer's neighbors said after the arrest that the abduction and rape of a young girl was another black eye for an area already filled with crime problems.
Ziesmer is being held in the Lee County jail without bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 17.
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