A 29-year-old Brainerd man was in jail Friday after he was arrested for allegedly having sex with a girl less than half his age.
Michael Adam Boorsma, 29, appeared in Crow Wing County District Court Friday, where he was charged with two serious felonies for third-degree criminal sexual conduct. One count concerned sex with a victim aged 13-15, while the other concerned sex with an impaired or helpless victim.
The Brainerd Police Department responded at 12:49 a.m. Thursday to PORT Group Home for Girls, 115 N. First St., after a runaway returned to the facility intoxicated and was not allowed in. An officer observed the 14-year-old girl had poor balance and was very confused. A preliminary breath test performed on the teenager returned a .17 blood alcohol concentration.
The teenager-who is autistic, according to staff at the facility-told police she was with three males who gave her alcohol, marijuana and other drugs. The officer transported the girl to Essentia Health-St. Joseph's Medical Center in Brainerd for a medical evaluation.
While at the hospital, the girl told her primary nurse she had sex while gone from the facility with the man later identified as Boorsma. The nurse observed multiple hickeys on the teenager's chest.
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The victim requested to speak with an officer concerning the incident, according to the criminal complaint against Boorsma. She told the officer after leaving the facility, she passed a residence where three unknown males were sitting in front. The males allegedly talked to the girl and offered her a drink.
The girl sat down with the males and proceeded to drink alcohol and smoke marijuana with them in front of the residence, she said. Later, the girl said she and Boorsma walked to downtown Brainerd together to a business on the 200 block of S. Seventh St. A Brainerd police official explained Friday that Boorsma operated a computer-related business inside that location, allowing him to gain access to the building after hours.
The victim told police Boorsma removed her clothes and had sex with her twice inside the store. She said she told Boorsma "no" to start, but later told him "yes." Minnesota law states individuals between 13-15 years old cannot legally consent to sex with someone more than four years older. Boorsma allegedly did not use a condom, and knew the teenager was 14 years old.
The officer spoke with a staff member from PORT, who informed police the girl suffered from a number of other conditions including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety.
Later in the morning, an investigator conducted an interview with Boorsma, who allegedly admitted to having sex with the teen.
The maximum penalty for each of the felonies Boorsma faces is not more than 15 years in prison, a $30,000 fine or both. Boorsma's next court appearance is scheduled for July 26.
