By Shawn Hogendorf, Correspondent 

A 21-year-old Shakopee man was charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct, a felony, and fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct by the Scott County Attorney’s Office on Aug. 1.

Prior Lake police were called to the 3200 block of Walter Street in Prior Lake at about 7:45 a.m. July 31 when a woman reported that men stole the keys to her car and took her camera and cell phone from her while she was at a party. The witness also told police she was concerned for the safety of her underage friend, who the witness said was alleged sexually assaulted by the Shakopee man in the house.

According to the criminal complaint, after police entered the home, police found the alleged victim passed out under the covers after she had been drinking at a party at the house. The alleged victim told police she did not remember anything, but told police she had about 16 ounces of Bacardi.

The witness told police that when she went to check on her friend, she saw the Shakopee man touching her friend while she was passed out. She said when she came into the room, the man stopped touching the young woman and she left the room. The witness returned to the room a short while later and told police she saw the man having sex with her friend while she was passed out.

The witness dressed her friend and wanted to leave, but couldn’t find her keys, according to the report. The witness then went outside and called police. While police were at the house, the Shakopee man told police he had sex with the girl, but it was consensual.

The alleged victim was taken to St. Francis Regional Medical Center. Police collected evidence from the scene and sent it to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for testing.

The man was on probation for a second-degree burglary conviction in Scott County on June 27, 2006.

The statute of the felony charge of third-degree criminal sexual conduct states that a defendant intentionally engaged in sexual penetration with another person who was under the age of 18 and knew or had reason to know the victim was mentally impaired, incapacitated or physically helpless. The maximum penalty for third-degree criminal sexual conduct is 15 years in prison and a $30,000 fine.

The statute of the gross-misdemeanor charge of fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct addresses intentionally engaging in nonconsensual sexual contact with a person under the age of 18.

 Shawn Hogendorf can be reached at (952) 345-6374 or shogendorf@swpub.com.