http://www.albertleatribune.com/news...es-new-charge/

A 21-year-old Albert Lea man who has already been convicted in two prior
cases of criminal sexual conduct with minors was charged in Freeborn
County District Court on Tuesday with a third criminal sexual conduct
charge €” this one worse than his previous two.

According to court records, Lorenzo Martin Torres faces one count of
first-degree criminal sexual conduct, including penetration or sexual
contact with a person under 13, stemming from an alleged incident in
April at the Countryside Inn Motel in Albert Lea.

Torres, of 406 E. Fifth St., was previously convicted of fifth-degree
criminal sexual conduct, a gross misdemeanor, in 2008, and third-degree
criminal sexual conduct with a person age 13 to 15, a felony, earlier
this year.

Freeborn County Attorney Craig Nelson said if Torres is convicted of the
new charge, he would be required to serve a presumptive sentence of 168
months in prison. Torres is currently on probation with the Minnesota
Department of Corrections and Freeborn County Court Services.

In court Tuesday, Freeborn County District Court Judge Steve Schwab set
Torres unconditional bail at $750,000 and his conditional bail at $500,000.

Though not likely Torres will be able to post bail, Schwab set
conditions to include obeying the law, reporting to court services, not
leaving the state without prior consent, having no contact with the
alleged victims, having no mood-altering chemicals or alcohol, and being
subject to random testing, among others.

Torres, who appeared without a lawyer on these charges, requested a bail
study to see if a less severe bail may be recommended.

Court records state the alleged victim, who was 12 at the time of the
reported incident, and her mother came to the Freeborn County Law
Enforcement Center on Monday to report the incident to authorities. The
alleged conduct reportedly took place in April when the girl had stayed
overnight with a friend at the Countryside Inn Motel.

During an interview with Albert Lea Police detective Frank Kohl, the
girl stated she and her friend were alone in the room, when her friend
invited Torres €” who they both knew €” to come to the room.

They both initially watched TV with him; however, after the girls
friend went into the bathroom to take a shower, Torres allegedly began
touching the girl inappropriately and reportedly had sexual intercourse
with her, according to court documents.

The girl told her friend about what happened after Torres left at about
3 a.m.

Court records state Kohl contacted the Countryside Inn Motel and
confirmed that the friends mother had rented a room in the motel from
April 19 through 25.

The first-degree criminal sexual conduct charge carries a maximum
penalty of 30 years in prison and a $40,000 fine.

Torres is scheduled to appear on the charge on June 14 at 1 p.m.

Nelson said the investigation into the matter is ongoing.

An additional charge against Torres related to a fourth alleged victim
is pending.