Red Lake man faces new sex abuse charges

Star Tribune

Last update: November 5, 2009 - 9:18 PM

A 21-year-old Red Lake man, convicted as a young teenager years ago for tying up and sexually abusing a boy, has been indicted on similar allegations involving brothers ages 6 and 7, authorities said.

Eagle Wind Lajeunesse was charged Wednesday in federal court with one count of aggravated sexual abuse and two counts of abusive sexual contact.

According to the indictment:

Lajeunesse, described either as an acquaintance of the boys' mother or her boyfriend, repeatedly abused the brothers over several months this year. In one instance, his fondling of one of the boys was so harsh that the child vomited.

In 2001, a juvenile court determined that 13-year-old Lajeunesse bound a boy with Christmas lights and sexually assaulted him while threatening his victim with a knife and electric drill. Later in that same attack, he donned a devil's mask and threatened the boy again, but the child escaped.

If convicted on this indictment, Lajeunesse faces a potential maximum penalty of life in federal prison on all three counts.

PAUL WALSH