Former church youth group leader charged with sex crimes
A former youth group leader at a Sebeka church was charged Sept. 2 in Wadena County District Court with three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.By: Steve Schulz, Wadena Pioneer Journal
A former youth group leader at a Sebeka church was charged Sept. 2 in Wadena County District Court with three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.
Jeffrey William Frodermann, 28, who listed his address as Heron Lake, Minn., is accused of having sex with a girl who was 13 at the time.
Frodermann was a youth group leader at United Methodist Church in Sebeka, but resigned his position in July 2009, according to the Rev. Loren Ferch. The church didn’t learn of the accusation of sexual misconduct until long after Frodermann was gone — about a week before the charge was filed — and the church has cooperated fully with the investigation, Ferch said.
According to court documents, Frodermann met the girl through the church youth group. Then in late May or early June, she went to his house after a day of swimming, and he kissed her, undressed her, and had sexual contact with her there. The victim told investigators she and Frodermann had sexual intercourse on two separate occasions, once in Frodermann’s vehicle and once at his house. The girl said she and Frodermann had discussed the age difference between them, and that Frodermann had commented that he could “get into trouble for it.”
Frodermann was scheduled for a first court appearance on Sept. 8.
M M. Wadena, MN 09/17/2009 10:13 AM
As far as guilt or innocence, that is up to the court to determine with all the informaiton that will be availble to the people deciding. We are not privy to all the informaiton & should not even think that we can determine guilt or innocence by what little informaiton we are given by the news. I think the important lesson here is to have safeguards in place, both for the children that are victimized or the person that may be falsly accused. Having 2 adults present in these types of vulnerable settings. When a woman goes in for a yearly exam, the doctor always has a nurse present. This is to protect both the patient & the doctor. Another important lesson is, as an adult, don't put yourself in a position where false accusations could occur & certainly DON'T engage in any type of behavior that could be taken as sexual!! Parents, talk to your children/young adults FREQUENTLY about keeping themselves safe & not putting themselves in a position for something bad to happen. I know this will not eliminate these situation from happening completely, but it may stop some incidents from happening.Report a Violation
doug m. Minneapolis, MN 09/14/2009 11:26 PM
No, we are very fortunate to live in a great nation that says that we are innocent until proven guilty. There are two sides to every story and both families of this story are going through a very difficult time right now I am sure. I hope that we all are praying for both of those families.Report a Violation
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nadine f. Reading, MN 09/17/2009 7:49 PM
To those who would crucify this man, consider this. The facts are not yet known to the public, nor might they ever be revealed. It is not our place to judge this man nor this girl. I ask you, how many of you have suffered because someone bore false witness against you? Do you remember the pain it caused you, or your family and friends? Until YOU know the truth of this matter, remember this. God is watching, and He is the judge, not you. In our court system, a person is innocent until PROVEN guilty. Why spread gossip you don't know to be fact? As far as the young girl is concerned, whether or not her accusations are true or false, she will have to live with for the rest of her life as well. Judge not, lest you be judged.Report a Violation