Southern MN Police Investigator Charged With Sex Abuse of Child

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New Ulm, MN (KROC-AM News) - Conditional bail has been set at $300,000 for a southern Minnesota police investigator accused of sexual misconduct.

42-year-old Eric Gramentz of New Ulm was formally charged Thursday with first and second-degree criminal sexual conduct in Brown County Court. He is accused of sexually abusing a preteen girl about four years ago.

The criminal complaint says the Brown County Sheriff's Office opened an investigation earlier this week after the victim told another person about the abuse, which took place when the girl was 11 or 12 years old. That person confronted Gramentz, who agreed to surrender himself to law enforcement.

The court document states that Gramentz admitted to an investigator that he had touched the child's genital area on multiple occasions. It's also alleged he placed his genitals in her hands while the girl was sleeping.

A statement issued by the City of New Ulm says Gramentz has been placed on leave. It also indicates he has been employed as a New Ulm Police Department investigator since February 2005.

Gramentz is due back in court for his initial appearance Monday afternoon.