St. Paul man charged with exposing himself to two girls

Last update: May 30, 2008 - 12:08 AM

A 48-year-old St. Paul man is accused of repeatedly exposing himself to a 10-year-old girl and a 13-year-old girl in their East Side neighborhood.

Ronald E. Steichen was charged Thursday by the St. Paul City Attorney's office with three gross misdemeanor counts of lewd conduct and indecent exposure.

According to police and court documents, Steichen pulled down his pants and underwear and exposed himself to the 10-year-old three times over a three-week period. Twice he was standing in front of his home in the 300 block of Hope Street. The last time, he followed the girl to her school bus stop and exposed himself, police said.

The girl gave officers a detailed description of the man and showed them where the incidents happened. On the same day in the same neighborhood, officers heard from the father of a 13-year-old girl who said a man had been following her and exposing himself. Those incidents happened four times in two weeks, police said.

The 13-year-old girl gave police a similar suspect description and showed officers the same house as the 10-year-old.

The criminal complaint said Steichen initially told an investigator that his pants accidentally fell down. He later admitted that he exposed himself and said he was sorry, the complaint said.

Steichen is being held in the Ramsey County jail.

PAT PHEIFER