Posted: 11/14/06
Man charged with criminal sexual conduct
A Caledonia man was charged on November 8 with third degree criminal sexual conduct and false imprisonment.
Todd Michael Weber, 35, allegedly raped a woman at his Caledonia apartment on the night of November 7, then refused to let her leave.
The woman called a friend from the apartment, who then called 9-1-1, according to the criminal complaint. She was then able to leave the apartment after Weber left, the complaint states.
Authorities located her on a bench near West Grove and Kingston Street on the morning of November 8. She ìappeared distraught, frightened, and was shaking,î the complaint states.
She was taken to Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, WI for a sexual examination and treatment.
Caledonia police arrested Weber as he returned to his apartment at about 5:30 a.m. on November 8, Caledonia Police Chief Randy Shefelbine said.
Shefelbine added that the charges might be upgraded to second or first degree criminal sexual conduct once medical reports get back from the hospital. That could occur if it is determined that the victim suffered temporary or permanent injury from the alleged rape, Shefelbine said.
At his first court appearance on November 9, Weber asked to be released to the home of his parents in New Albin, IA, so that he could continue his job.
Judge James Fabian refused, and set conditional bail at $100,000 and unconditional bail at $50,000. Weber posted conditional bail on November 9. He will appear in court again on November 20 at 11 a.m.
Here are other facts of the case according to the criminal complaint: The woman and Weber had been drinking at a bar in Caledonia. They returned to his apartment. She became ill and went to sleep on the bathroom floor. She woke up in his bed stripped of her clothing. She said she believed she had had sexual intercourse against her will. She attempted to leave and he would not allow it. After he left, she called a friend on a cell phone, then left the apartment. Weber told police they had talked about sexual activity throughout the course of the night. He said he knew her doctor had directed her not to have intercourse for medical reasons.
Caledonia Argus
314 West Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 227
Caledonia, MN 55921-0227
507/724-3475
E-Mail: editor.argus@ecm-inc.com