Carlton County man charged with sexual assault of teenage girl – Cloquet Pine Journal

CARLTON — A rural Carlton County man gave a 15-year-old girl THC edibles and then sexually assaulted her.

Lane Lowell Smith, 44, who lives southwest of Carlton, was charged last month in state District Court with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, a felony of soliciting a child to engage in sexual conduct, and a gross misdemeanor charged with contributing to the delinquency of a child.

The girl, who knows Smith, told a Carlton County sheriff’s investigator that she brought alcohol to Smith’s apartment on June 29 at Smith’s request. She reported drinking some of the alcohol and Smith then gave her THC gummies and popcorn, which he said was melatonin, a criminal complaint states.

The teenager said she felt “off balance” when Smith began massaging her. She said she woke up naked on the massage table, which was covered with a black sheet. She said her memory is hazy, but she remembers Smith touching her sexually and discussing sexual acts.

The girl reported that she later woke up in a dog bed, wearing a T-shirt and green plaid pants that she believed belonged to Smith. According to the charges, she was in severe pain. The girl said Smith asked her to stay another night to have sex.

A parent later took the girl to a hospital, where an examination revealed bruising and redness, according to the lawsuit. Blood and urine tests detected THC in her system.

Smith declined to speak to authorities about the allegations.

A search of Smith’s home uncovered THC gummies and a bag labeled “Potcorn,” which appeared to be THC-infused popcorn, the criminal complaint states. In another bag, searchers reportedly found a bottle of liquid containing THC, a black sheet and green checkered pants.

Smith was arrested and has since been released on $10,000 bail and a condition that he have no contact with the girl. He made his first remote court appearance on Monday. The next court date has not yet been set.

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