Former teacher appears in court

Former Carlton teacher and girls basketball coach Robert Kent Pioro, 62, appeared via Zoom video for a hearing in Carlton County Sixth District Court on Tuesday.

Pioro faces three felony charges of criminal sexual conduct in the third degree, stemming from allegations of sexually abusing a student athlete more than 20 years ago.

Each charge stems from a different incident that occurred in Carlton County — at Four Seasons Recreation Center, South Terrace Elementary School and Carlton High School — all between October 2000 and March 2001. According to Carlton County attorney Lauri Ketola, St. Louis County has also filed charges against Pioro related to the case.

According to the criminal complaint, a former student, basketball player and babysitter for the Pioro family reported the alleged sexual abuse in November 2019.

Tuesday’s hearing was continued until 1:30 p.m. Sept. 16. Pioro is represented by David Keegan and Mikkel Long. Pioro was released on the condition that he not contact the alleged victim.

According to Minnesota State Statute, a person who engages in sexual penetration with another person is guilty of criminal sexual conduct in the third degree in a number of different scenarios, but one of those is “when the complainant is at least 16 but less than 18 years of age and the actor is more than 48 months older and in a current or recent position of authority over the complainant. Neither mistake as to the complainant’s age nor consent to the act by the complainant is a defense.”

Pioro denied the accusations in a previous interview with law enforcement.

For more on this case, see “Former coach charged with sexual assault” in the July 10 issue of the Pine Knot News or at at http://www.pineknotnews.com.