Minnesota Man Charged in 2018 Rochester Child Sex Abuse Case

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Olmsted County Attorney’s Office has charged a Minnesota man in connection with the sexual abuse of a child that allegedly occurred five years ago. 

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The criminal complaint indicates Rochester Police were first made aware of the alleged sexual abuse this past January.

An interview with the young victim and her mother indicated the abuse occurred at a Rochester home in the fall of 2018, the criminal complaint says. 

The court document accuses 56-year-old Robert Edward Collins of Plymouth of groping the girl multiple times while he was living with the young girl and her mother. The girl was between the ages of 8 and 9 at the time of the alleged sexual abuse. 

In an interview with investigators Collins denied sexually abusing the young girl. He said he moved with the girl and her mother from Arizona to Rochester in 2018 before he moved back to Arizona in 2019. Collins said he has since moved back to Minnesota with a different woman and her children, according to the criminal complaint. 

Collins faces a felony count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a victim under the age of 13. He’s due to be arraigned on the charge in Olmsted County Court next month.

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).