An 18-year-old Mount Carmel man charged in connection with the alleged robbery and attempted sexual assault of an elderly woman remains in custody after appearing in Wabash County Circuit Court last week.
Joshua Parrish appeared with State's Attorney Kelli Storckman and Public Defender William Easton for a preliminary hearing. Judge William C. Hudson found probable cause to proceed with the case. Parrish waived formal arraignment and entered a plea of not guilty to all charges.
Following the hearing, Judge Hudson ruled that Parrish's continued detention is necessary, finding he poses a real and present threat to the safety of the community or a specific person and that no conditions of release could adequately mitigate that threat.
Parrish faces eight felony charges stemming from an alleged incident on June 19. The charges include armed robbery, robbery, aggravated robbery, attempted aggravated criminal sexual assault, attempted aggravated criminal sexual assault of a victim age 60 or older, attempted aggravated kidnapping, aggravated battery, and unlawful restraint.
Prosecutors allege Parrish used a knife to rob an elderly woman, threatened to sexually assault her, and attempted to force her into a wooded area.
A final pretrial conference is scheduled for August 17 at 9:00 a.m., with a jury trial set to begin September 8 in Wabash County Circuit Court.
As with all criminal cases, the charges are allegations, and Parrish is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.
