A 51-year-old Rochester man is sitting in jail on conditional bail after prosecutors say two separate sex-crime investigations turned up a years-long pattern of illegal conduct, including an alleged paid sexual relationship that started when one victim was still a teenager. Court records say electronic devices seized from his home contained sexually explicit photos and videos, along with payment records tied to one of the alleged victims.
Arraignment and Allegations in First Case
As reported by KROC-AM News, Robert John Dunham was charged by arrest warrant last week with third-degree criminal sexual conduct and false imprisonment. A woman told police he picked her up in downtown Rochester in November, drove her to his home and repeatedly assaulted her while she appeared intoxicated.
Officers first encountered the woman after a December call about someone yelling for help in a northwest Rochester park, according to the complaint. She later told investigators she woke up to find she had been sexually assaulted and that she received money from Dunham afterward, KROC-AM News reported.
Alleged Teen Relationship
In a separate criminal complaint, prosecutors allege Dunham had an on-and-off sexual relationship with a teenage girl that started when she was 15 after the two connected on a dating app, according to WJON. Investigators say he paid her in exchange for sex until she turned 18.
The complaint quotes Dunham as saying he was "okay with her age" and asserts that he told investigators he had sexual relationships with other juveniles as well, WJON reported.
Searches Turn Up Videos and Payments
Investigators executed a search warrant at Dunham's Rochester home in February and seized multiple electronic devices. Data extracted from those devices allegedly showed sexually explicit photos, three videos involving Dunham and the teen victim, and numerous Cash App payments from Dunham to the girl, according to KROC-AM News.
One video reportedly shows the victim unconscious, while others show her appearing intoxicated. The complaint also alleges Dunham offered her money after encounters, including one instance in which he allegedly offered as much as $2,000.
Court Status
Dunham was arraigned on the cases earlier this week and a judge set conditional bail at $100,000. He is scheduled to appear again in Olmsted County court later this month, according to WJON. Prosecutors have not publicly said whether they plan to seek additional charges as the investigations continue.
What The Charges Mean
Under Minnesota law, third-degree criminal sexual conduct covers sexual penetration in several circumstances, including when the complainant is under 18 and specific age differences apply. It can carry a sentence of up to 15 years in prison.
Possession of child sexual-abuse material is also a felony with its own potential prison terms and conditional-release requirements, and false imprisonment is another criminal offense under state law. See Minnesota Statutes sections 609.344 and 617.247, available via the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes and the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes, and for false imprisonment see Justia.
Resources for Survivors
Help is available for anyone affected by sexual violence. Resources and a confidential national hotline are available through RAINN, and local law enforcement agencies can connect victims with advocates and support services. Victim-assistance offices with Olmsted County and the Rochester Police Department can also provide information about reporting options and available services.
