70-year-old Illinois man accused of molesting woman in Cape

A Geneva, Illinois, man was arrested Friday after police said he molested a woman in January while living with her in Cape Girardeau.

The Cape Girardeau Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged William C. Diggory, 70, with second-degree sexual abuse and first-degree sexual misconduct, both misdemeanors, after the victim reported the incident Friday.

According to a probable-cause statement filed in the case by Cape Girardeau police officer Brock Benisch, police went to the 2200 block of Stoney Point in Cape Girardeau after a woman reported a sexual assault.

The victim said on Jan. 6, Diggory entered her bedroom naked and made unwanted advances toward her, despite her objections, Benisch wrote.

Police questioned Diggory at the scene Friday night, where he admitted to having entered the victim’s room and propositioned her, Benisch wrote.

Diggory told police he “has Parkinson’s [disease] and he has problems,” and he had entered the victim’s room and approached her after taking an erectile-dysfunction medication, according to the statement.

Diggory also admitted to police he had tried to kiss the victim but said he did not remember whether he continued to try to kiss her after she objected, Benisch wrote.

Diggory posted $5,000 bond Saturday with the condition he have no contact with the victim.

tgraef@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3627