Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester teenager was sentenced today for sexually assaulting a child.

Court documents state that 19-year-old Austin Anthony Russ was charged last April following a Rochester Police investigation that began after a woman told investigators that her young daughter had been sexually assaulted. According to the criminal complaint, the five-year-old girl had informed her parents that she had been assaulted by Russ.

KROC-AM logo
Get our free mobile app

The charges say the parents confronted Russ about the allegations on two occasions. The court document says he initially denied assaulting a young child, but later admitted to the allegations.

The criminal complaint says Russ admitted sexually assaulting the girl twice in early April 2024.

READ MORE:  Rochester Teen Accused of Sexually Assaulting Young Girl

He was charged with first and second-degree criminal sexual conduct. Under a plea agreement announced last December, Russ entered a guilty plea to a first-degree criminal sexual conduct charge in Olmsted County Court.

St. Cloud State Prison - Minnesota Dept. of Corrections photo
St. Cloud State Prison - Minnesota Dept. of Corrections photo
loading...

He has now been sentenced to 12 years in prison with credit for the 375 days he has served in jail. The sentencing order also requires him to register as a predatory offender and he will remain on probation for 10 years following his release from prison.

More Minnesota News:

HAVE YOU SEEN ME? 27 Kids Missing From Minnesota

As of January 13, 2025, 27 children are missing from across Minnesota that have still not been found, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. If you have seen any of them, or have any information on their whereabouts, please don’t hesitate to call 911 or you can call the National Center at 1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST).

Gallery Credit: Minnesota Now

More From KROC-AM