A longtime high school teacher and one-time district administrator in west-central Minnesota is charged with sexually assaulting a student, luring her to his home with a ruse about paying her to do some chores but molesting her instead.

Brian K. Maki, 58, a social studies teacher at Wadena-Deer Creek High School, was charged Tuesday in Otter Tail County District Court with fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct in connection with a molestation that allegedly occurred at his home in Henning, Minn., last week.

Maki remains jailed, and the school district has posted a job opening for a temporary social studies teacher.

The student told authorities that the incident traumatized her to the point that she considered killing herself within minutes of leaving the home of a teacher "she looked at as a role model," the criminal complaint read.

Under questioning by a sheriff's detective, Maki said he realized "how inappropriate" his actions were, the complaint continued.

According to the complaint:

Last Thursday, Maki and the girl met at a tire store in Deer Creek with a plan for her to be paid to clean cabins for him. He gave her money for gas, and they drove to his home.

Maki started coming on to her, rubbing her back, removing her shirt and fondling her breasts despite her objections. He gave her $40 and told her to get dressed. He also told her "it was not her fault and not to tell anyone [because] he could get in trouble."

As she drove from Maki's home, she started "to think about how she could kill herself and drive head-on with another car," the complaint read.

The teacher told the sheriff's detective that he has "done a lot" for the girl, including giving her money "due to troubles with her family life."

Along with teaching since joining the district in 1993, Maki has filled several other roles including principal, assistant principal for activities and assistant football coach. He received his teaching degree from Moorhead State University in 1988.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482