SANTA ANA (CNS) - An 82-year-old man pleaded not guilty today to sexually assaulting three girls he is related to as well as a dog in Westminster.
Clemens Thomas Brzoznowski Jr. was charged last month with 18 felony counts of sex acts against the girls from April 2004 through May 2007, according to court records. He also faces sentence-enhancement allegations for multiple victims and substantial sexual conduct with a child.
Brzoznowski is also charged with a misdemeanor count of sexual contact with an animal, which is allegedly a dog, in July of this year, according to court records.
“Clemens Thomas Brzoznowski has victimized several young children in his family over a period of several years,'' Westminster police Det. Paul Walker said in court papers asking for a higher bail. “He has family in ... Peru and as such, pose(s) a risk of fleeing prosecution. Additionally, the victims in this case have lived in fear of Brzoznowski for several years. Now that he is in custody, they believe he will retaliate against them for reporting his crimes if he is released.''
Brzoznowski entered his plea in the jail courtroom in Santa Ana and was ordered to return to court March 5 for a pretrial hearing in Westminster.
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