Charges filed for child assault

A Cloquet man is facing charges for allegedly sexually assaulting a young girl approximately five years ago.

Kim James Connors Jr., aka KC, age 30, is facing one charge of first degree criminal sexual conduct-penetration or contact with a person under 13. Charges were filed in late March, but Connors didn’t make his first court appearance until May 23, after being picked up on a warrant by Fond du Lac police.

According to the criminal complaint, last summer a now 11-year-old girl reported to staff at the Carlton County youth shelter and eventually her new foster mother that Connors touched her “all the way” when she lived at his mother’s house as a foster child.

In an interview detailed in the complaint, the child said she had been at the Connors home for roughly two of the six years she stayed there when the alleged assault occurred. She said she had been playing Uno with KC when he asked her if she wanted to play a different game. He allegedly told her to take her clothes off, took his clothes off, and sexually penetrated her. When she tried to scream, he covered her mouth, she said. He allegedly told her he would hurt her if she told anyone. At the time, the girl would have been around 6 years old and Connors age 25. The victim also told police that she told his mother what happened, and the woman said she would report it but never did.

Police interviewed Connors, who said he would care for the girl when his mother was at work. He stated this was the first he was hearing of allegations against him. His mother refused to provide a statement to law enforcement as part of the investigation.

Connors’ next hearing is set for 10 a.m. Monday, June 6 and will be held remotely with Carlton County judge Amy Lukasavitz. Bail has been set at $500,000.