In court, victim urges sex abuser to seek help

The teen said she has lost trust in men and urged the perpetrator to seek help.

By PAT PHEIFER, Star Tribune

Last update: October 15, 2009 - 11:14 PM

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Anthony Edward Peterson glanced several times at the victim and her mother huddled side by side as he was led into a Washington County courtroom in handcuffs and shackles Thursday morning to be sentenced for sexually abusing the 13-year-old girl.

Peterson, 21, had nothing to say before Senior Judge John E. Cass stayed execution of a 27-month sentence and ordered the defendant to serve 10 years' probation.

A few minutes earlier, the victim's mother read statements she and her daughter had written: "I still don't get why Anthony did it," the girl wrote in part. "For the first couple weeks after it happened, I barely went to school. I barely left my mom's side. I still can't trust guys. ...

"My counselor has helped me through most of this, but it put me in a different state of mind that I can't trust guys like I used to. It's not my fault it happened, but it's my fault I went with him."

Peterson, of Lake Elmo, pleaded guilty in early June to fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. According to the criminal complaint, the victim told police that Peterson initiated text messages to her on April 4 and persuaded her and her 12-year-old friend to go with him to Lake Elmo.

There, the complaint said, he forced the victim into sex acts in a basement bedroom and barred the door to prevent her escape. When Peterson fell asleep, the girl escaped to a nearby Target store in Oakdale.

Peterson was brought to court from St. Cloud prison, where he is serving a sentence for fifth-degree drug possession out of Washington County District Court. His release date on that conviction is Nov. 12. He also is on probation on a charge of fourth-degree damage to property in Hennepin County.

Cass gave Peterson credit for the 192 days he has spent in custody in the sexual abuse case. The judge ordered Peterson to complete 12 recommendations listed in the pre-sentence report, including undergoing treatment, registering as a predatory offender, having no contact with the victim or other minors, completing a chemical dependency assessment, providing a DNA sample and paying a $200 fine.

"I honestly think Anthony needs some help in the head, like honestly I don't get how some 21-year-old could rape a 13-year-old," the girl wrote. "I just think it's real messed up. Go get some mental help, please."

Pat Pheifer • 612-741-4992