Bulgarian Tracked Down for Sexual Assault Trial in US

Nikolay Prodanov appears in intake court Monday afternoon. Prodanov was extradited this weekend from Bulgaria after he fled the county. Photo by La Crosse Tribune

A man facing attempted sexual assault charges in La Crosse County has been arrested in his native Bulgaria and returned to the United States, local media reported.

For eight months, La Crosse County District Attorney’s investigator Bob Muth had worked with federal and international agencies to recapture and return the 62-year-old to the U.S. after he fled to Bulgaria in July, days before the start of his sexual assault trial.

Nikolay Prodanov appeared in La Crosse County Court Monday on a warrant issued in July 2009 for attempted sexual assault of a mentally handicapped person.

According to court documents, the alleged incident happened at Red Cloud Park on La Crosse's northside in September 2006.

Witnesses say Prodanov tried to sexually assault the woman on a trail near the park. Prodanov denied the allegation, and said the woman tried to kiss him and pull him to the ground. Prodanov told investigators he noticed something was wrong with the woman and left the park.

Prodanov was scheduled to stand trial for the charges in 2009, but left the United States and traveled to Bulgaria. Investigators were able to find Prodanov through his daughter in Massachusetts.

Prodanov was arrested in Bulgaria, and extradited back to the United States. La Crosse County DA Tim Gruenke told NewsChannel 8 Prodanov was captured with the help of Interpol, the international crime prevention organization.

Prodanov is being held on a USD 500,000 bond, and is scheduled to appear in court again later this week.

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