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Special to the Daily Journal/Messenger

Joshua Ray Patterson

WEST UNION — A 19-year-old West Union man is still behind bars at Oconee County Detention Center after being arrested for allegedly touching a young girl inappropriately.

Joshua Ray Patterson, of 315 Rose Drive, was arrested Saturday soon after Bonnie Regina Hidgon phoned the authorities to tell them her daughter had been molested.

According to the case report, the female child, whose name and exact age has yet to be released, was staying at her father’s house at 161 Fernwood Drive Saturday night. When Higdon called to tell her daughter goodnight, the father, Michael Laschower, had reportedly gone to the store.

Her daughter told Higdon over the telephone that Patterson, who frequents Laschower’s home, stuck his tongue in her mouth and touched her privates while her father was away.

Responding officers were eventually able to make contact with Patterson, who told them he never touched the girl, and was watching an NBA basketball game.

Officers observed an alcoholic odor and noted Patterson had bloodshot eyes, at which point Patterson admitted to smoking marijuana earlier in the night, as well as taking “somas,” a colloquialism for a commonly used prescription muscle relaxant. Patterson said it was his sleep medication.

Officers arranged for Patterson to take a lie-detector test. He was arrested the next day and charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim under the age of 11. Bond has not been set.