Man Sentenced in 1986 Rochester Sex Abuse Case

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A former Rochester man has been sentenced to 25-years on probation for a sex abuse crime that occurred over 30-years ago. 66-year-old Stephen Bratrud was also given a stayed 21-month prison sentence and a one-year jail term, but he was given credit for the 140 days he has been in custody since his arrest and has been granted release to enroll in a sex offender treatment program.

Bratrud recently entered into a plea agreement and admitted to a second-degree criminal sexual conduct charge. He was originally charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct in 1986 when he was accused of sexually abusing a young girl over a period of ten years, beginning when she was about 5-years-old.

He fled before he could be arrested and was finally apprehended in Texas in April of this year on a three-decade-old arrest warrant. Officials earlier indicated they believe Bratrud had been living in Bolivia.