Swimmer Accused of Sexually Assaulting 6-Year-Old Girl at Rochester Lake

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)-  Authorities have arrested a swimmer after he was accused of sexually assaulting a young girl at a Rochester lake. 

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The criminal complaint, filed in Olmsted County Court on Monday, says the alleged sex assault occurred on July 1. 

Rochester police arrested the suspect on Friday, after the victim underwent a forensic interview. 

Rochester Man Charged For Alleged Sex Assult of 6-Year-Old Girl at Foster-Arend Beach

45-year-old Valentin Madrigada Soto is charged with one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct. 

The court document says he was with the little girl, her parents and her family at Foster-Arend Park. 

The victim’s mother told police she was in a swimming area with her daughter, who was floating on a tube and Soto, who was in deeper water than her daughter. 

She said she ran to her vehicle for two minutes and saw Soto holding her daughter’s tube when she returned. She also stated she overheard her daughter tell Soto, “I'm going to tell my mom and dad what you did.” 

The victim told her parents that Soto had touched her inappropriately while the two were in the swimming area. She also said Soto offered to give her money if she did not tell anyone, according to the complaint. 

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, resources are available for help. Visit the RAINN website (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) or dial 800-656-HOPE (800-656-4673).

She repeated a similar account of the incident during her interview on July 10, the complaint says. Soto denied touching the young girl when interviewed by investigators, according to the court document. 

Bail was set at $100,000 for Soto following his first court appearance. He is due back in court later this month.