Man accused of sexual abuse on girl years ago
Area News--An Afton man was charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct after a woman accused him of abusing her when she was 8 years old.
By: Mike Longaecker , Pierce County Herald
STILLWATER, Minn. -- An Afton man was charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct after a woman accused him of abusing her when she was eight-years old.
Charles Arthur Bell, 61, appeared in court Feb. 13 on the charges, which each carry a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a $40,000 fine.
Washington County investigators first received a report on Bell in September after a 20-year-old woman came forward with allegations of sexual molestation.
The woman told authorities that Bell -- a man she knew through family ties -- sexually assaulted her when she was eight, according to a criminal complaint.
The complaint states that Bell touched the girl sexually before forcing her to perform a sex act on him.
The woman showed authorities a text message exchange she had in September with Bell, in which she described the incident and told him “I can’t even look at myself in the mirror.”
A text response from Bell described in the complaint said, “I am truly sorry for many of my past transgressions. My younger years were filled with things I can’t take back, should not have happened and will affect many lives for years to come. I can only hope that the good I’ve done will somehow outweigh the bad.”
Bell was released Feb. 13 from Washington County jail on bail terms that called for either $25,000 without conditions or $3,000 on conditions that he have no contact with the alleged victim and not possess firearms.
He is scheduled to return to court April 24.
Tags: news, minnesota, crime, courts
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