Forest Lake resident Peter Charles Ramberg, 40, has been charged with three counts of felony criminal sexual misconduct for allegedly assaulting a 13-year-old girl on Nov. 30. At his arraignment on Dec. 1, Asst. County Attorney Joseph R. Cox argued that the evidence against Ramberg was ìvery strong,î and requested $20,000 bail.

Chisago County Investigator Doug Henning took a statement from the victim the night of the alleged assault, and filed the criminal complaint against Ramberg.

According to that complaint, the victim in the case explained to Henning that she had accompanied her mother to an area bar and had arrived at that location at approximately 10 p.m. Shortly after her arrival, a male, later identified as Ramberg, began to buy the juvenile and her mother drinks. The victim told Henning that she had ingested ìtwo shots,î described as ìBomb Pops,î and added that she had already consumed two ìSmirnoff ice drinksî before the drinks provided by Ramberg.

At approximately 11:15, the victim expressed a desire to go home, but explained to Henning that her mother ìwas not ready to leave.î She further stated that she was not aware of Rambergís name at the time, but when offered a ride home, ìher mother allowed her to leave with him.î

Ramberg allegedly drove the victim around in his truck for awhile before parking. The victim told Henning that she had fallen asleep in the truck at some point and when she awoke, her clothing had been removed and she was being assaulted by Ramberg. She further stated that she had no recollection as to how her clothing had been removed and that she thought she had ìblacked out for a period of time.î

According to the complaint, the girl informed Ramberg upon awakening that she was ìin a lot of pain,î and that she ìdidnít want to get pregnant,î but that Ramberg continued. She also informed Henning that she did not believe a condom was used by Ramberg.

Henning accompanied the victim and her mother to Fairview Regional Medical Center where a sexual assault kit was performed on the victim and abrasions were discovered.

Ramberg was also interviewed as part of the criminal complaint and admitted being at the bar and meeting up with the victim and her mother. His description of events differs from the victimís in that he insisted that, upon arrival in Stacy, he and the victim started ìfooling around,î that it was consensual, and that it led to intercourse. He further informed Henning that he stopped when the victim vomited.

Ramberg also informed Henning that he was positive for Hepatitis C and had been for five years. According to the criminal complaint, Ramberg stated that he ìroutinely has unprotected sex because he does not believe he can transmit the disease through intercourse.î

Charges against Ramberg include first degree criminal sexual conduct, for engaging in sexual penetration with another, knowingly or had reason to know that the complainant is mentally impaired, mentally incapacitated, or physically helpless. That charge carries a penalty of 30 years in prison and a $40,000 fine. Two lesser but similar charges have also been filed against Ramberg, who was released from the Chisago County Jail on Dec. 1, on a $20,000 bond.

Rambergís next court appearance is set for Feb. 15 at 1 p.m.

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Forest Lake Times
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Forest Lake, MN 55025
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