Carnival worker accused of sexually abusing girl at La Crescent Applefest sentenced – Post Bulletin

CALEDONIA, Minn. — A carnival worker accused of sexually abusing a girl during Applefest in La Crescent in September 2023 has been sentenced in Houston County Superior Court.

Peter John Guse, 34, of Mapleton, Minnesota, was charged with one count of fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving non-consensual sexual contact, a misdemeanor, and one count of disturbing the peace, a misdemeanor.

In July, Guse pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct, admitting that he “performed physical acts near a female.”

District Judge Carmaine Sturino sentenced Guse on Aug. 2 to one year of unsupervised probation and 90 days in the Houston County Jail, suspended for one year.

According to the criminal complaint, on September 15, 2023, a minor female told a La Crescent Police Department officer that Guse had sexually assaulted her while she was on a merry-go-round at the event.

Guse was working on the merry-go-round at the time.

People who are dealing with sexual exploitation can call the crisis line 24 hours a day at 507-289-0636. There they will speak to someone who can refer them to help.