Councilman Resigns Following Bizarre Crime - Valley News Live - KVLY/KXJB - Fargo/Grand Forks

Councilman Resigns Following Bizarre Crime

  A Thief River Falls, Minnesota City Councilman has resigned following allegations of a bizarre crime.

  Dean Swanson faces a charge of "Interference with Privacy." He was allegedly peeping at another man in a restroom.

  According to the criminal complaint, it happened in the men's room of the public restroom at the Thief River Falls city campground.

  It allegedly happened in the early morning hours of September 2.

  Swanson told police officers he was openly gay and admitted that he had been peeking in stalls at other adult individuals.

  Swanson was allegedly in the handicapped stall, when he opened the door and peeked under the door of the adjoining stall at another man, who hollered at him and then reported the incident to police.

Alan Rogalla, County Attorney: "Minnesota law prohibits anybody from gazing or interfering with the privacy in a bathroom So, if you go into a bathroom and you gaze or look, you can be charged with a gross misdemeanor offense.

Reporter: "What's the maximum sentence?"

Rogalla: "1 year, $3,000 or both is the maximum sentence if convicted.

  Swanson was living just across the street from the campground with his mother. Neighbors say he was unemployed and moved back to Thief River from Minneapolis a few years ago.

  A criminal history check shows a prior conviction on a non-consensual sex charge in Ramsey County.

Alan Rogalla: "It will certainly be a consideration for our office to look at the prior offense. Whether it can enhance this charge or not…. We'll find out at sentencing."

  That's if Swanson is convicted. His initial court appearance has not been scheduled yet.

  Swanson told the City Council last Wednesday that he was resigning his position as a councilman, because he needed to take care of personal matters.

  Swanson did not return our call seeking comment for this story.