UPDATED Wednesday, November 4, 2009 --- 4:25 p.m.

MILTON, Wis. (AP) -- Prosecutors allege an off-duty 38-year-old Rock County sheriff's deputy sexually assaulted a drunken 18-year-old woman during a Halloween party. The deputy denies it.

A criminal complaint charges Steven Stenulson of Janesville with second-degree sexual assault in Rock County Circuit Court. He was released late Tuesday on $10,000 bond.

The victim tells police she went to a bedroom of a Milton home after having five beers and falling asleep. She says she awoke with Stenulson's hand in her pants.

She says she told him to stop, but he kissed her instead. The complaint says he stopped when two other people walked in the room.

Stenulson told investigators he went to the party with his girlfriend. He says he was in the bed with the 18-year-old, but denies assaulting her.

He has been put on paid leave.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

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UPDATED Tuesday, November 3, 2009 --- 5:15 p.m.

Steven L. Stenulson, a Rock County Deputy Sheriff appeared in Rock County Court today.

Stenulson faces a charge of 2nd Degree Sexual Assault. Today he was released on a $10,000 signature bond. He cannot have contact with the victim or consume any alcohol.

Stenulson will be back in court Nov. 25th. To see more about the case read our updates posted below.

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UPDATED: Monday, November 2, 2009 -- 9:00 p.m.

At about 2:00 p.m. Monday afternoon, the Milton Police Department arrested 38-year-old Steven L. Stenulson, a Rock County Deputy Sheriff.

Late Saturday night, Milton Police Officers went to a house party after they got a call from an 18-year-old girl who claimed she'd been sexually assaulted.

It happened in the 500 block of College Street.

Monday afternoon, the Milton Police Department found physical evidence that was consistent with the girls story and arrested Stenulson at his home in Janesville.

He was then taken to the Dane County Jail.

Milton Police Chief Jerry Schuetz says, " It's always unfortunate when a member of the law enforcement community engages in misconduct and engages in criminal conduct. One of the key elements of a successful law enforcement agency is maintaining the public trust, maintaining public confidence. I think this is an isolated incident for the law enforcement community. It's a tragic incident but it was important for both Sheriff Spoden and I to be transparent with the public about it and to let the public know that when we find out about misconduct like this that we hold law enforcement to a higher standard and that we hold them accountable."

Stenulson has been placed on administrative leave. According to the Rock County Sheriff's Department an internal investigation will be conducted as well.

They say they are taking the allegation very seriously and that they'll take whatever steps necessary to make sure that justice is served.

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UPDATED: Monday, November 2, 2009 --- 5:14 p.m.

Press Release from the Milton Police Department:
For Immediate Release:

The Milton Police Department has arrested the suspect in an alleged sexual assault that took place during the late hours of Oct. 31st, 2009 at a residence in the 500 block of College Street in the City of Milton.

Milton police responded to a call from an 18 year old female who reported being sexually assaulted in an upstairs bedroom in the Milton residence near the conclusion of a Halloween party where alcohol was served.

During the past 24 hours detailed interviews were conducted and evidence gathered in conjunction with the sexual assault investigation.

On Nov. 2nd, 2009 at approximately 2:00 p.m. Milton police officers arrested Steven L. Stenulson, age 38 from the City of Janesville on a charge of 2nd degree sexual assault. Mr. Stenulson is employed as a Deputy Sheriff with the Rock County Sheriff’s Department.

Pursuant to Rock County Sheriff’s Department policy, Stenulson was immediately placed on administrative leave once he was identified as a suspect in the investigation and remains on leave pending an internal employment investigation into the incident.

Due to his employment status as a Deputy Sheriff in Rock County, Mr. Stenulson was transported to a jail outside of Rock County.

Further investigation and enforcement action is anticipated to the owners of the residence who permitted alcohol to be served to minors and for other identified underage alcohol violations that were noted during the course of this investigation.

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UPDATE from the Rock County Sheriff's Department:

On November 1, 2009, at 2:46AM a report of sexual assault was received by the Milton Police Department. According to the initial report, an 18-year-old female from Janesville was assaulted at a party where underage drinkers were present, at 518 College Street in the City of Milton. The suspect in the case was identified as an off-duty Deputy from the Sheriff’s Office, Steven L. Stenulson, age 38, of the City of Janesville. As a result of the allegation, Stenulson was immediately placed on administrative leave from the Sheriff’s Office, relieved of all police authority and had his weapons and Deputy Sheriff card removed pending the outcome of both criminal and internal investigations.

On November 2nd, investigators from Milton PD developed sufficient probable cause to make an arrest based on the incident. Stenulson was taken into custody at approximately 2:00PM this afternoon at his residence by Milton Police and was transported to the Dane County Jail where he will be held pending court proceedings. He was arrested on a charge of second-degree sexual assault.

As the criminal aspect of this investigation is completed, a parallel internal investigation will be conducted. That investigation will be thorough and will ensure that the facts of the case are made known. This allegation is extremely serious and the Sheriff’s Office will take whatever steps necessary to ensure that justice is served and that the highest standards for conduct are maintained at the Sheriff’s Office.

Pursuant to the directive of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicity, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.