Spring Lake Park man pleads guilty in abduction of girl, 8

John C. Heuer pleaded guilty on Wednesday to kidnapping and sexually assaulting an 8-year-old girl, telling the court that his recollection of the incident was "hit or miss" because of an alcoholic blackout.

The Spring Lake Park man's inability to recall some information in Anoka County District Court contrasted with detailed information he gave police after his May 2 arrest. When Judge Jenny Walker Jasper asked him whether he lured the girl away by telling her he had a puppy in his pickup truck, Heuer could not say.

"I don't remember it," said Heuer, who acknowledged a lifetime of alcoholism. "I don't doubt it."

Heuer, 48, was accused of luring the girl from the Giant Wash Coin Laundry in St. Paul on May 1 and taking her to his townhouse in Spring Lake Park, where he kissed, fondled and had oral sex with her, according to the charges against him. He had been drinking at a bar and strip club next to the laundromat. He went to the laundromat, told the girl and her older sister that they were pretty, left, returned and lured the younger girl away, the charges said.

The abduction was reported about 6:40 p.m. The girl distracted Heuer at his townhouse and fled, according to court documents. Neighbors found her outside and called police about 7:20 p.m.

In court on Wednesday, Heuer pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count each of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and kidnapping.

He was questioned by Assistant County Attorney Jennifer Verdeja, admitting to some details and not remembering yet not denying others. The vagueness prompted Walker Jasper to remind him that he had a right to a jury trial, but he stuck to his pleas, believing that convictions were likely.

"I believe it'd be a waste of time," he said of a jury trial.

Under questioning by Verdeja, he admitted to performing oral sex on the girl.

"Just curiosity, I guess," he said.

When asked if he forced the 3-foot, 30-pound girl to perform oral sex and other sex acts on him, he said: "I don't know."

Paul Young, the county attorney's division chief for violent crime, also questioned Heuer.

"Why did you take this young girl away from her family and drive 16 miles to your house?" Young asked. "You wanted to have sex with her?"

"Yes, sir," Heuer said.

"Do you think she just decided it was time to take her clothes off?" Young asked. "Or did you instruct her to take her clothes off?"

Heuer said she probably undressed and performed other acts per his instructions.

Heuer's decision to plead guilty on all counts without so much as an attempt to broker a plea agreement was highly unusual. His public defender, Bryan Leary, said Heuer made that decision several weeks ago.

"I think he wants to bring closure to this terrible, tragic event," said Leary, who attributed the difference in his client's police interview and court testimony to the effects of alcohol. "This is a big gamble, to plead straight up."

Young said he has only seen a handful of defendants plead guilty to multiple, serious charges in his 18 years with the county attorney's office.

Heuer faces a maximum of 30 years in prison. He will be sentenced Sept. 23. Prosecutors will seek a "significant" sentence based on aggravating factors, such as the victim and her family's language and cultural barriers that made her particularly vulnerable.

Authorities found an "abundance" of pornography and multiple female undergarments when they searched Heuer's townhouse and initially said there could be more victims. The investigation is ongoing, but no additional victims have been identified.

Chao Xiong • 612-270-4708 Twitter: @ChaoStrib