Andrew Lee Richards, 34, is charged with lascivious acts with a child, a Class C felony; indecent contact with a child; lascivious conduct with a minor and assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, all aggravated misdemeanors, in Webster County. He is also facing a charge of operating while under the influence, a serious misdemeanor, in Hamilton County.

Stratford lies on the county line between Webster and Hamilton counties.

Richards is being held in the Webster County Jail.

According to the criminal complaint, Richards was intoxicated on Monday evening around 9:45 p.m. and was yelling outside of a residence before coming into the house and into the victim’s bedroom. He yelled at the victim to strip, before standing over her and ripping her pants and underwear off. He then grabbed the victim’s genital area.

The victim was able to escape the residence and run to a nearby neighbor to call for help.

When deputies with the Webster County Sheriff’s Office arrived on scene, the victim was at the Stratford Fire Station being evaluated by emergency medical services and Hamilton County law enforcement.

According to the criminal complaint from Hamilton County Sheriff’s Deputy John Sadler, when he arrived at the residence of the assault, he saw a small car trying to back out of an icy driveway. The car made it out of the driveway and “backed across the middle of the road and then headed south.”

Sadler said he pulled up next to the car and spoke with the driver, Richards, who said he was looking for the victim. Sadler told Richards to pull back into the driveway “so we could find out what is going on.” Richards then “pulled way too wide and drove into the ditch.”

Sadler’s report said he could smell a strong odor of alcohol on Richards’ breath and his eyes were bloodshot and watery and his speech was slurred.

Richards refused a field sobriety test and a breathalyzer test and was arrested.

Richards, who was on parole for a possession of a controlled substance, third or subsequent offense, conviction, had his initial appearance in Webster County on Wednesday. He was still booked in the Webster County Jail as of Wednesday night. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for Feb. 19.