Man faces charges of criminal sexual conduct

A Wright man is facing charges of criminal sexual conduct with juveniles.

Robert Laurence Besch, 48, was charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in Carlton County District Court on Feb. 7.

According to the criminal complaint, the mother of two juveniles reported that they told her on Feb. 1 they had been sexually assaulted on more than one occasion by Besch.

On Feb. 4, First Witness Child Advocacy Center conducted forensic interviews with the two victims, who both described multiple incidents of alleged oral-genital sexual penetration. Carlton County Sheriff's Department officers photographed both locations described by the victims, then interviewed Besch. Besch allegedly admitted there were approximately five such incidents over the past several months with both juveniles.

If convicted, each charge carries a maximum sentence of 30 years and/or $40,000. An omnibus hearing in the case is scheduled for March 11.