DULUTH - A 20-year-old Carlton, Minn., man made his initial appearance Tuesday in St. Louis County District Court accused of sexually assaulting a pre-teen girl.
Derek Jay Frear is charged with first- and second-degree criminal sexual conduct.
According to the criminal complaint, the alleged victim reported to officials at her school that she had been sexually abused by Frear.
The girl was interviewed at the First Witness Child Abuse Resource Center last month. She said the defendant started sexually abusing her when she was 8 years old and it continued until she was 11.
A St. Louis County sheriff's deputy interviewed Frear. The defendant cried during the interview and admitted sexually assaulting the girl while knowing it was wrong, the complaint alleges. He said he was sorry for what he had done.
ADVERTISEMENT
Frear was released without bail. His next court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 19.
The Duluth News Tribune and the Herald are both Forum Communications Co. newspapers.
