Willmar man accused of sexually assaulting juvenile makes first court appearance

A Willmar man made his first court appearance on several sex charges in Kandiyohi County District Court Friday.  48-year-old Eric Leist is charged with 7 felonies and two gross misdemeanors,  including 1st Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct with a person 14 or under, 2nd Degree Criminal Sexual Contact, and 3rd Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct with a person 16 to 17 years old.   All of these charges say his victim or victims were people he had authority over.

Leist is a para-professional at Dream Technical Academy in Willmar and was arrested at the school Wednesday after an alleged victim told their parent that they had been assaulted by an acquaintance.   After his arrest, police conducted a search warrant at Leist’s northwest Willmar home.

In addition to the sex charges, Leist is charged with possessing pornography on his computer, supplying alcohol to a minor, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.   Judge Stephen Wentzell set unconditional bail at $300,000 and conditional bail at $150,000.  His next court appearance is set for December 21st at 3:30 p.m.

(JP Cola, KWLM)