Fairbury Man Charged With Enticement Requests Jury Trial

Eugene J. Bonsal Jr., 27, of Fairbury, has requested a jury trial. He appeared in Jefferson County District Court on Thursday, January 6, 2022, in the custody of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. Vicky Johnson was the presiding judge.Bonsal is charged with enticement by electronic communication device of a child under the age of 16 years, a class 4 felony punishable by two years in prison, followed by nine to 12 months of post-release supervision and a $10,000 fine. He is accused of using an electronic device to contact someone under the age of 16 years.Bonsal is represented in this case by Public Defender Scott Gropp.Because of the age of the victim, the Arrest Affidavit has been sealed by order of the Court.The trial is scheduled for May 2 and 3, 2022. Judge Johnson will not be presiding over the trial as she is set to retire at the end of this month.County CourtIn addition to the charges in District Court, Bonsal was arraigned in Jefferson County Court on Wednesday, January 12, via webcam from the Seward County Jail. Linda Bauer was the presiding judge.Bonsal is accused of assault and terroristic threats, a felony that carries a possible penalty of up to three years in prison, nine to 18 months of post-release supervision and a $10,000 fine, and third degree assault, a class 1 misdemeanor punishable by one year in jail and a $1,000 fine.Bonsal is represented by Public Defender Gropp in the District Court case. However, Gropp cannot defend Bonsal against these new charges due to a conflict of interest. Judge Bauer therefore assigned attorney Benjamin Murray to defend him.Bonsal was arrested in December 19, 2021 for these charges.The defendant is held in this case on a $35,000 (10 percent) bond. Murray said, “My client has no ability to pay that.”Murray asked for a PR (Personal Recognizance) bond or a “significant reduction.”County Attorney Joseph Casson objected, noting the defendant was out on bond in the District Court case when he was arrested and that a condition of his bond was that he not violate any laws. Casson said, “He's a risk to the community.”Judge Bauer said a PR bond was not appropriate, “I think there is some aspect of community risk.”The judge agreed to lower the bond to $15,000 (10 percent), with a provision Bonsal not have any contact with the alleged victim.As one of the charges is a felony, the case was then bound over to District Court. After that, Bonsal asked if house arrest was an option but the judge told him he would have to make application in District Court as the case was no longer in her jurisdiction.The defendant remains in custody as of press time.Prior Criminal RecordBonsal has had other run-ins with the law in Jefferson County. He was previously charged with possession of a controlled substance, a class 4 felony punishable by up to two years in prison, 12 months of post-release supervision and a $10,000 fine. He was also charged with obstructing a Peace Officer, a class 1 misdemeanor punishable by a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.Bonsal was arrested on October 30, 2020, by Jefferson County Deputies at approximately 8:22 p.m. on an active Jefferson County warrant. According to the Arrest Affidavit, despite being ordered not to, Bonsal removed an item from him pocket and handed it to another individual. A deputy took possession of the item, described as, “a white container which looks similar to those which often contain THC 'wax', based on my training and experience.”THC is tetrahydrocannabinol, the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis. The contents of the container later field tested positive for marijuana.In accordance with a plea agreement, Bonsal plead Guilty to a reduced charge of attempted possession of a controlled substance, a class one misdemeanor. This allowed the case to remain in County Court. The charge of obstruction was dismissed. Bonsal was sentenced in Jefferson County Court On Wednesday, November 18, to 30 days in jail, with credit for one day time served.

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