New Brighton man charged with sexual assault of granddaughter
When the alleged abuse was reported, Gerald Mauthe evicted his granddaughter and son, according to police.
*Disclaimer: Criminal complaints are based off law enforcement’s and prosecutor's interpretation of what a defendant did. They should not be considered factual by the public. All those charged with crimes are innocent until proven in a court of law. Any accusation in the below story comes from court documents unless expressly noted.*
ST. PAUL – A New Brighton grandfather will be allowed to remain free while his case for sexually assaulting his granddaughter works its way through the court system.
Gerald Charles Mauthe, 71, of Coon Rapids, is charged with felony second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving contact with a child under 16 while in a significant relationship and fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving nonconsensual sexual contact.
While Mauthe is required to be booked and fingerprinted, he was released on his own recognizance following a hearing before Judge Paul Yang Thursday.
According to the criminal complaint:
Mauthe repeatedly touched his granddaughter over the course of several years, according to a criminal complaint signed by New Brighton Police Detective Michael Smith and Assistant Ramsey County Attorney Somah Yarney.
When the girl asked him to stop touching her, Mauthe reportedly replied that his "touches shouldn't be weird because he is her grandfather," according to the complaint.
The girl also reported that Mauthe took her shopping on several occasions, even after he was told not to have contact with her.
Once Mauthe's behavior was reported to police, he evicted the girl and her father from a shared residence in New Brighton.
***For help following a sexual assault, please visit the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault to find advocacy and medical services.***
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