Plea Deal Calls for 22 Years in Rochester Child Sex Abuse Case
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester man has entered into a plea agreement in a child sexual assault case that calls for a prison sentence of more than 20 years.
Rochester Man Pleads Guilty to Child Sexual Assault
Forty-eight-year-old Elijah Jae Newbloom has admitted to a charge of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. In exchange, three other first-degree criminal sexual conduct charges will be dismissed.
Charges Filed Last September
Newbloom was charged last September after the victim disclosed the sexual abuse to her family, and Rochester police were contacted. The criminal complaint says the victim told investigators that the sexual assaults began when she was 14 years old and that Newbloom would give her gifts, including alcohol and vapes.
Incriminating Text Messages
The evidence listed in the case included text messages that indicated Newbloom was caught engaging in sexual activity with the victim when she was 15 years old. The victim also told police that she sent Newbloom sexually explicit images of herself at his request.
The criminal complaint states that the victim reported the abuse after learning that Newbloom had sent "inappropriate and sexual" messages to her sister.
At the Least 22 Years in Prison
Newbloom is scheduled to be sentenced in September. The plea agreement says he will admit to aggravating factors for sentencing and receive a minimum prison term of 22 years.
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