Billings Man Denies Molestation Charges

39-year-old Jesus Villanueva of Billings has denied allegations that he raped and molested two of young girls.  KTVQ.com reports he was charged in June with one count of sexual intercourse without consent and two counts of sexual assault, and pleaded not guilty to the charges in Yellowstone County District Court last week.  The 7-year-old victims were interviewed at the Children’s Advocacy Center, where they identified Villanueva as their abuser.

Detectives listened to recorded calls to his wife from jail, where Villanueva apologized for being a “bad guy” and asked her not to talk to the police.  Villanueva allegedly told his wife that if he had abused the girls, it was because he was using drugs.  His wife said she felt her husband was admitting to the sexual abuse.  He’s being held at the Yellowstone County jail on $150,000 bond.