Rochester man takes plea deal for probation in child sexual assault case

(ABC 6 News) – A Rochester man took a plea deal in Olmsted County court Friday.

Randall Roger Ash, 67, was accused of sexually assaulting a 3rd-grader in 2015.

Ash originally faced charges of 1st-and 2nd-degree criminal sexual conduct with a child under 13. He pleaded guilty to an amended charge of 4th-degree criminal sexual conduct with a child in exchange for a maximum sentence of two years’ probation and no jail time.

Olmsted County judge Lisa R. Hayne approved the Alford plea deal.

An Alford plea is a type of guilty plea wherein a defendant maintains their innocence, but admits that a court has sufficient evidence to convict them of a crime.

(ABC 6 News) – A Rochester man will stand trial after being accused of sexually assaulting a child who was in 3rd grade at the time in 2015.

Randall Roger Ash, 67, faces charges of 1st-degree criminal sexual conduct with a child under 13 and 2nd-degree criminal sexual conduct with a child under 13.

Both charges are felonies.

According to court documents, the alleged victim told his mother in June of 2021 that he had been sexually assaulted at a sleepover at age 8 or 9.

The child described being sexually assaulted by Ash and picked his photo out of a lineup several years later, according to court documents.

Ash’s pretrial is scheduled for May 18, 2023, with a jury trial scheduled May 30.