73-CR-18-1328 Filed in Seventh Judicial District Court

2/13/2018 03:41:12 PM
Stearns County, MN

State of Minnesota District Court
County of Stearns 7th Judicial District
Prosecutor File No. CR-2018-353
Court File No. 73-CR-18-1328

State of Minnesota, COMPLAINT
Plaintiff, Order of Detention
vs.
ANTHONY JOSEPH OELRICH    DOB: 06/06/1966
375 First Avenue S
St. Cloud, MN 56301
Defendant.

The Complainant submits this complaint to the Court and states that there is probable cause to believe
Defendant committed the following offense(s):
COUNT I
Charge: Criminal Sex Cond-3rd Degree-Clergy-Ongoing Meet f/Advice
Minnesota Statute: 609.344.1(l)(ii), with reference to:  609.344.2
Maximum Sentence: Up to 15 years in prison and/or $30,000
Offense Level: Felony
Offense Date (on or about): 12/01/2013 to 04/30/2014
Control #(ICR#): 17063777
Charge Description: That the above-named defendant, Anthony Joseph Oelrich, then and there being, did
wrongfully, unlawfully, and feloniously while being a member of the clergy, engage in sexual penetration
with another and the sexual penetration occurred during a period of time in which the complainant was
meeting on an ongoing basis with the actor to seek or receive spiritual advice, aid, or comfort in private.

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 73-CR-18-1328 Filed in Seventh Judicial District Court
STATEMENT OF PROBABLE CAUSE 2/13/2018 03:41:12 PM
Stearns County, MN

 
The Complainant states that the following facts establish probable cause:
 
In December of 2017, Inv. Tiffany Thompson of the St. Cloud Police Department began investigation
allegations of sexual assault involving Father Anthony Joseph Oelrich, DOB: 6/6/1966, the defendant
herein. The defendant is an ordained priest associated with the St. Cloud Diocese and affiliated with the
Newman Center in St. Cloud, Minnesota. 

Inv. Thompson spoke with Adult A, fully identified in police reports who advised that she had sought spiritual
guidance from the defendant due to a prior relationship which included sexual abuse. Adult A first
disclosed the abuse to the defendant during confession in December 2013. 

Adult A advised that following her initial disclosure she was contacted by the defendant who asked further
questions about the abuse. Adult A stated that she became suicidal and that the defendant reached out to
her and consoled her. The defendant advised Adult A to contact him whenever she felt she needed to
speak to her prior abuser. 

Adult A described an occasion where she was with the defendant when she received repeated phone calls
from the abuser. Adult A advised that the defendant told her to answer the phone and while she was
speaking he removed his penis from his pants, telling her she needed something for her hands. 

Adult A advised that she told the defendant she was scared by what he did and he told her he would never
have sex with her. Adult A described a later instance where she was in a car with defendant and he
unbuckled his pants and told her to "put that in your hand." Adult A advised that she touched the defendant's
penis until he ejaculated. 

Adult A described that she was suffering from insomnia and that the defendant would come to her home
and tuck her into bed. She advised that on occasion he would sleep with her in the bed until one or two
o'clock the next morning. 

Adult A advised that in the beginning of January 2014 she was invited to the rectory, in the City of St. Cloud,
County of Stearns, State of Minnesota, where she had dinner and played cards with the defendant. The
defendant suggested that she stay the night and they engaged in penile-vaginal intercourse. Adult A
advised that this occurred on multiple days until April 2014. 

Adult A advised that during the time she was having intercourse with the defendant she was also seeing
him for confession. Adult A advised that many of their conversations would end in prayer or a "priestly
blessing." 

While investigating the allegations of abuse in Adult A's prior relationship, Inv. Thompson spoke with the
defendant. He advised that he was aware of the abuse but indicated that he was unable to share any of
what he had been told by Adult A citing the privilege of confession. 

In covertly recorded conversations, the defendant acknowledged a "boundary violation" with Adult A. In
those statements he does not deny having sexual intercourse with Adult A. 

The complainant has reason to believe and does believe that the above information is true and correct. 

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 73-CR-18-1328 Filed in Seventh Judicial District Court
The above facts constitute complainant's basis for believing that the above-named defendant, on and
2/13/2018 03:41:12 PM
Stearns County, MN
between December 1, 2013 and April 30, 2014 committed the offense described herein:

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 73-CR-18-1328 Filed in Seventh Judicial District Court
SIGNATURES AND APPROVALS 2/13/2018 03:41:12 PM
Stearns County, MN

Complainant requests that Defendant, subject to bail or conditions of release, be:
(1) arrested or that other lawful steps be taken to obtain Defendant's appearance in court; or
(2) detained, if already in custody, pending further proceedings; and that said Defendant otherwise
be dealt with according to law.
Complainant declares under penalty of perjury that everything stated in this document is true and
correct. Minn. Stat. § 358.116; Minn. R. Crim. P. 2.01, subds. 1, 2.

Complainant Ryne J Stegura Electronically Signed:

Court Officer 02/13/2018 03:26 PM
101 11th Avenue N Stearns County,  Minnesota
St. Cloud, MN 56302
 

Being authorized to prosecute the offenses charged, I approve this complaint.

Prosecuting Attorney Joshua J. Kannegieter Electronically Signed:

Assistant County Attorney 02/13/2018 03:17 PM
705 Courthouse Square
St. Cloud, MN 56303
(320) 656-3880

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 73-CR-18-1328 Filed in Seventh Judicial District Court
FINDING OF PROBABLE CAUSE 2/13/2018 03:41:12 PM
Stearns County, MN
From the above sworn facts, and any supporting affidavits or supplemental sworn testimony, I, the Issuing Officer, have
determined that probable cause exists to support, subject to bail or conditions of release where applicable, Defendant’s arrest
or other lawful steps be taken to obtain Defendant’s appearance in court, or Defendant’s detention, if already in custody,
pending further proceedings. Defendant is therefore charged with the above-stated offense(s).

SUMMONS
THEREFORE YOU, THE DEFENDANT, ARE SUMMONED to appear on ________ ___, _____ at _____ AM/PM
before the above-named court at 725 Courthouse Square, St. Cloud, MN 56303 to answer this complaint.

IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR in response to this SUMMONS, a WARRANT FOR YOUR ARREST shall be issued.

WARRANT
To the Sheriff of the above-named county; or other person authorized to execute this warrant: I order, in the name of the State
of Minnesota, that the Defendant be apprehended and arrested without delay and brought promptly before the court (if in
session), and if not, before a Judge or Judicial Officer of such court without unnecessary delay, and in any event not later than
36 hours after the arrest or as soon as such Judge or Judicial Officer is available to be dealt with according to law.

Execute in MN Only Execute Nationwide Execute in Border States

X ORDER OF DETENTION
Since the Defendant is already in custody, I order, subject to bail or conditions of release, that the Defendant continue to be
detained pending further proceedings.

Bail:  $
Conditions of Release:  

This complaint, duly subscribed and sworn to or signed under penalty of perjury, is issued by the undersigned Judicial Officer
as of the following date: February 13, 2018.

Judicial Officer Sarah E Hennesy Electronically Signed: 02/13/2018 03:37 PM

District Court Judge

Sworn testimony has been given before the Judicial Officer by the following witnesses:
 

COUNTY OF STEARNS
STATE OF MINNESOTA

State of Minnesota
Plaintiff LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER RETURN OF SERVICE
I hereby Certify and Return that I have served a copy of this Order of
vs. Detention upon the Defendant herein named.
Signature of Authorized Service Agent:
Anthony Joseph Oelrich
Defendant

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 73-CR-18-1328 Filed in Seventh Judicial District Court
DEFENDANT FACT SHEET 2/13/2018 03:41:12 PM
Stearns County, MN

Name: Anthony Joseph Oelrich
DOB: 06/06/1966
Address: 375 First Avenue S
St. Cloud, MN 56301

Alias Names/DOB:
SID:  
Height: 5' 8"
Weight: 200lbs.
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color:
Gender: MALE
Race: White
Fingerprints Required per Statute: Yes
Fingerprint match to Criminal History Record: No
Driver's License #: B512095987706   (MN)
Alcohol Concentration:

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 73-CR-18-1328 Filed in Seventh Judicial District Court
STATUTE AND OFFENSE GRID 2/13/2018 03:41:12 PM
Stearns County, MN

Cnt Statute Offense Statute Nbrs and Descriptions Offense MOC GOC Controlling Case

Nbr Type Date(s) Level Agencies Numbers

1 Charge 12/1/2013 609.344.1(l)(ii) Felony L51A7 N MN0730400 17063777

Criminal Sex Cond-3rd
Degree-Clergy-Ongoing Meet f/Advice
  Penalty 12/1/2013 609.344.2 Felony L51A7 N MN0730400 17063777
Criminal Sexual Conduct-3rd
Degree-Penalty