Former Rochester Police Officer Guilty of Sexual Assault
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A former Rochester police officer's sexual assault trial ended with a guilty verdict today.
24-year-old Timothy Robert Morgenstern was charged in January 2023 with sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl. According to court documents, he was also accused of exchanging sexually explicit photos and videos with the victim on Snapchat.
The criminal complaint states that the teenage victim first disclosed to her therapist that she had been involved in an inappropriate relationship with the coach of her speech team at John Marshall High School. The court document indicates Morgenstern, in addition to his job with the Rochester Police Department, served as the coach of the speech team.
When the allegations first surfaced in late September 2023, the Rochester Police Department reported that he was immediately placed on administrative leave and was fired about a week later.
Following his termination, the Rochester Police Department issued a statement indicating that Morgenstern was first hired in October 2021. It also noted that there were no disciplinary issues involving Morgenstern during his brief tenure with the RPD.
The Fillmore County Attorney's Office was asked to review the investigative reports and handle the prosecution of the case. Morgenstern was charged with one count each of third and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a victim between the ages of 16 and 17 years old by a person in a position of authority. He was also charged with using minors in a sexual performance.
The Olmsted County jury that heard the case began deliberations yesterday and resumed this morning. The panel found Morgenstern, who now has an Apple Valley address, guilty of all of the charges.
Court records indicate that he was released without bail following the announcement of the guilty verdict today and was ordered to return for sentencing in April.