An Ely man is accused of a sex crime against a 17-year-old girl, police said Wednesday.

Scott A. Wennermark, 38, of 1630 North Dr., was arrested last week on suspicion of third-degree sexual abuse. Police said the incident happened around 2 a.m. on Sept. 16 at a residence in Ely against the will of the teenage girl.

Wennermark has not formally been charged with a crime, but the Linn County attorney’s office is reviewing the case.

Sgt. Cristy Hamblin said Wennermark was known to the victim’s family. She said police were notified about the incident after the girl told her parents.

“One of the biggest reasons why people don’t tell anyone is the fear that they won’t believe them,” Hamblin said. “This was a case where she told her parents, they immediately jumped on it and gave her the support she needed.”

Police noted that many services are available for juvenile and adult victims of sexual abuse.

Wennermark was arrested at the Cedar Rapids Police Department on Sept. 20 and taken to the Linn County Jail. He has since been released on bond. Third-degree sexual abuse is a class C felony, punishable by up to 10 years in prison.