Dodge Center Man Accused of Sexually Assaulting Vulnerable Girl
Mantorville, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Dodge Center man was formally charged today with allegedly sexually assaulting a vulnerable juvenile girl.
According to the criminal complaint filed in Dodge County Court, 41-year-old John Michael Higgins is accused of repeated sexual assaults between 2018 and 2023. It is alleged that the assaults occurred when the victim was 16-18 years old.
The court document says the Dodge County Sheriff's Office began investigating Higgins in early April after being contacted by a woman who reported that her vulnerable daughter had been sexually assaulted by him. The criminal complaint says the victim provided graphic details concerning the assaults during a forensic interview with investigators and other certified specialists that was conducted shortly after the initial report.
The criminal complaint also indicates that a Dodge County investigator made phone contact with Higgins following the forensic interview and he indicated that he would like to consult with his attorney before making a statement. The court document says his attorney contacted the investigators a few days later two informed them that Higgins would not be providing a statement concerning the allegations.
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Higgins faces a total of eight felony charges, including four counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Conditional bail for Higgins has been set at $50,000. He is scheduled to return to court for another hearing next month.
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