Man pleads not guilty to sexual assault; Alleged attacker also pleads not guilty
Published 8:41 am Friday, November 9, 2018
Ethan Greeley Dulitz, 20, of Austin pleaded not guilty on Thursday in Mower County District Court to felony third-degree criminal sexual conduct-force or coercion and two counts of felony third-degree criminal sexual conduct-victim 13-15 and actor more than 24 months older.
Logan Robert Branstad, 19, of Austin pleaded not guilty to felony first-degree burglary-assault person in building/on property, felony first-degree burglary-occupied dwelling and three counts of misdemeanor domestic assault.
According to the court complaint, a 15-year-old girl reported that Dulitz had sexually assaulted her in August, when she was 14. She reported that she resisted and told him to stop, but he continued, telling her not to tell anyone afterwards. She also said Dulitz had sex with another 14-year-old girl.
An officer then went to Dulitz’s residence in the 700 block of 11th Avenue Southwest and found other officers already present, the complaint states. Police had responded to a call at the residence after Branstad, who knew the victim, had come to the residence and assaulted Dulitz, punching him several times after Dulitz attempted to lock himself in a bathroom at the residence. Branstad also pushed a 23-year-old female and punched a 21-year-old female on the arm during the attack, according to Austin Police Chief Brian Krueger.
The complaint states Dulitz did not deny having sex with the victim and knew she was 14, saying it was consensual and “it just happened.” He also admitted to having sex with the other 14-year-old, saying he had picked her up after she left her house one night without her parents’ knowledge, though he said he did not know her age.
A pre-trial for Dulitz has been scheduled for March 29. Branstad’s pre-trial has been scheduled for March 8.