Posted: 7/25/06
Criminal sexual conduct charges filed against two men
Two men face multiple charges of first degree criminal sexual conduct in a case that dates back several years.
Leon Cheston Maug, 29, Spring Grove, has been summoned to appear in court on August 2 at 9:30 a.m. He faces six charges.
Christopher Thomas Peterson, 26, whereabouts unknown, was charged with two counts. A warrant for his arrest was issued on July 5.
Here are details on each man.
ï Christopher Peterson: According to the criminal complaint, a 13-year-old female told a county human services worker on February 14, 2005 that Peterson had assaulted her when she was 7-9 years old.
One of the charges is based on the victim being under 13 and the defendant being 36 months older. The other is based on the victim being under 16 and the defendant having a significant relationship with her.
ï Leon Maug: One charge against Maug alleges he inappropriately touched a boy under age 13 while he was baby-sitting the boy at the boys home in Caledonia, sometime between 1999 and 2001. The boy reported it to Houston County Human Services worker on August 3, 2005. Maug admitted to authorities that he did it while baby-sitting the boy on a number of occasions, the complaint says.
The other five charges against Maug state that criminal sexual conduct against the girl took place while he baby-sat her when she lived in Caledonia and Spring Grove when she was 7-9 years old.
Neither Maug nor Peterson have had access to the alleged victim since the case first came to light, county attorney Rick Jackson said on July 20. He added that no statute of limitations will apply now that charges have been filed.
Each charge involving the girl carries a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and $40,000 fine. Maugís charge with the boy carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison and a $35,000 fine.
Juveniles charged in burglary
Two La Crosse area juveniles face multiple charges after allegedly being caught in the act of burglary by a homeowner on July 20.
William John Peck and Andrew Paul Brase, both 17 and both from La Crosse, were charged with charged with first and second degree burglary and theft of a controlled substance, all felonies.
The following information comes from the criminal complaint:
The rural La Crescent woman and her 15-year-old son were just returning to their home when they confronted Peck and Brase in the house last Thursday.
The women had noticed a suspicious vehicle parked on the grass behind her house as she drove into her driveway. As she and her son began approaching her residence she called 911 from her cell phone.
As they entered the house they became aware that there was a person inside the residence who then came out. A second individual also appeared and they asked questions in regards to whose residence this was.
While the woman was talking on the phone with Houston County Jail Administrator Mark Schiltz, one of the youths got on the phone and told Schiltz he did not have permission to be in the house.
The woman got back on the phone and described the youthsí car and license plate number. She reported that dresser drawers and a closet door were open. She then saw the youths speed away down the driveway toward La Crescent.
A Houston County deputy spotted the car and followed it. He observed things being thrown from the window. The car was stopped about five miles from the residence. Officers found a prescription pill bottle in the car, as well as coins. Officers also found coins and prescriptions on the highway.
Officers from the LaCrescent Police Department and the Hokah Police Departments also responded. Officers found stolen items from the womanís home, including cash and prescription drugs. The investigation is continuing and may be connected to other area residential burglaries.
The juveniles appeared in court on July 21 in Houston County Court, then were sent to Many Rivers Detention Center in Rochester.
Peck and Brase also were charged with possession of a controlled substance in the fifth degree, a gross misdemeanor; misdemeanor theft. Peck has the additional charge of driving after suspension.
Peck will appear in court on July 26 at 1:15 p.m. Brase will appear in court on August 2 at 10:30 a.m.
The woman was smart to use her cell phone to report the incident, sheriffís department chief deputy Ken Frank said. ìThe lady did a very good job,î he said. ìShe got a good description of the suspects and the vehicle for us too.î
OíBrien sentenced
Darrell Edward OíBrien, 18, Caledonia, was given 10 years probation on July 19 for second degree burglary.
Judge James Fabian stayed his sentence of 18 months in state prison. OíBrien will serve five months local time with credit of 38 days already served.
OíBrien pled guilty on June 15 to second degree burglary that occurred on March 1 at a Caledonia Township residence. Three other charges were dropped in the plea agreement.
The charges were connected to a March 1 burglary in Caledonia Township.
He will be on probation for 10 years, and must also submit to random searches, supply a DNA sample, and write a letter of apology to the victims.
Anderson sentenced
A 16-year-old La Crescent youth who beat and robbed a woman at knifepoint was sentenced on July 19.
Mark Anthony Anderson was placed on probation for a period of 20 years. Heís to serve 12 months in the local jail with various conditions. Judge James Fabian stayed a sentence of 48 months in state prison.
Anderson pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery on June 16. He had been charged with eight felony counts in the case, in which a 43-year-old woman was beaten and robbed in La Crescent on the afternoon of April 7.
A 14-year-old male juvenile who formerly lived in Caledonia has also been charged in the incident. He faces the same charges except that the assaults are gross misdemeanors and not felonies because he had only one prior offense.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
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Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
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