Bemidji man admits guilt in sex assault case against 11-year-old

BEMIDJI -- A Bemidji man accused of sexually abusing an 11-year-old girl in April 2013 has plead guilty in Beltrami County Court.

Jeremy Bruce Cournoyer, 33, of Bemidji is charged with felony first-degree criminal sexual conduct. He amended his not guilty plea entered in October to guilty in late June after he waived his right to a jury trial and opted to have Beltrami County Judge John Melbye hear his case in a court trial. Trial proceedings began on June 4 and concluded Tuesday.

Chief Beltrami County Attorney Annie Claesson-Huseby said there were two aggravating factors accompanying Cournoyer's charge: sexual assault/penetration in two or more ways and using position of authority or trust to gain access to his victim.

Cournoyer's defense argued there was no opportunity or room in the house the victim was living in with her mother, three brothers and another family for the assault to have occurred. During cross examination of the now 12-year-old victim, the defense heard no mention of penetration, which is a deciding factor in the degree of the crime.

In 2004, Cournoyer was convicted of serious felony second-degree criminal sexual conduct for inappropriately touching an 11-year-old girl. That girl, now a woman, testified during Cournoyer's trial in June. His most recent alleged victim did as well.

Cournoyer is facing a maximum of 30 years in prison and a $40,000 fine. Cournoyer is scheduled for sentencing Aug. 22.