Continuing the Crook County News Since 1884

Sundance man will serve up to 45 years for sexual abuse of a minor

A Sundance man will serve up to 45 years in prison for multiple charges related to sexual abuse of a minor. Harry Lee Ballard III allegedly attempted to initiate sexual contact with a juvenile female several times over the course of three years.

Ballard was sentenced on one count of attempted sexual abuse of a minor in the second degree (defined as “an act which was a substantial step towards engaging in sexual contact”) and three counts of sexual abuse of a minor in the third degree (defined as taking “immodest, immoral or indecent liberties”).

On the first two counts, he was sentenced by Judge John R. Perry to between eight and 15 years in a Wyoming Department of Corrections penal institution. On count three, he was sentenced to between eight and 15 years, to run consecutive to the first sentence; on count four, he was again sentenced to between eight and 15 years, to again run consecutively.