Man gets probation for sexual assault

Published 11:26 am Friday, July 8, 2011

Freeborn County District Court Judge Steve Schwab sentenced Leo John Kobinski of Albert Lea Tuesday to 15 years probation for sexually abusing a child under 5 years of age.

If Kobinski, 41, violates his probation, he faces four years in prison.

The sentence came after Kobinski pleaded guilty in April to one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a young child. He initially faced an additional count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a young child.

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Court documents state the abuse was reported in April 2010 by a social worker with the Dakota County Department of Human Services. The acts reportedly took place in late 2009 and early 2010.

When interviewed by a local police detective initially, Kobinski denied any sexual contact with the child. However, he later admitted to inappropriate touching and other contact. He reportedly said the actions were not forced.

As part of the sentencing, Schwab also ordered that Kobinski register as a sex offender, complete a sex offender evaluation and have no contact with the victim or victim’s family.

Likewise, he can have no direct or indirect contact with minors in a private setting and cannot go into any sexually entertaining establishments. He is to have no Internet or computer access.