Burnsville scout says he feared to say leader abused him

An Eagle Scout who alleges he was sexually assaulted by his Burnsville scoutmaster explained in court Wednesday why he told "not a soul" for years.

He said he was afraid the allegations would hurt Troop 650 and scouting in general, a belief he and his alleged assailant, former scoutmaster Peter Stibal II, had discussed during years of abuse.

Stibal, 46, of Burnsville, is on trial in Dakota County District Court on accusations that he sexually assaulted scouts or former scouts from 2002 through 2005, when they were minors.

Stibal has maintained his innocence since police first questioned him in October 2009, when the former scout came forward after allegedly witnessing questionable conduct between Stibal and younger scouts.

"I had strong, strong suspicions that I was not the only victim of Peter Stibal," the 21-year-old said, adding that he came to believe Stibal was abusing and "terrorizing" other kids.

Stibal's relatives and defense attorney have questioned the motives of the witness.

A complaint charges Stibal with two counts of first-degree sexual assault of a child aged 13 to 15, with penetration, plus five counts of second-degree sex abuse of a child over whom he had authority.

On Wednesday, on the first day of testimony in the sex abuse case, the 21-year-old said Stibal assaulted him on at least four occasions, including at Stibal's cabin and at his home, at an Eagan movie theater and at a drive-in theater in Cottage Grove.

"I definitely want Pete to have repercussions for the things he did," the man said in court Wednesday.

The trial is to continue into next week before Chief Judge Edward Lynch.