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A man who police say was a Girl Scout troop leader in Faribault faces sex charges for allegedly raping a 15-year-old troop member and taking naked photos of her.
Entrusted to lead young members of two Faribault Girl Scout troops, authorities say 38-year-old Michael Borromeo is now accused of raping at least one of those girls.
"It's pretty alarming to hear that a person in a position of authority would take advantage of a young child," says Joe Yetzer, an investigator with the Rice County Sheriff's Department.
Borromeo is in the Rice County Jail, charged with several counts of criminal sexual conduct and making child pornography, charges that stem from an alleged sexual relationship with a 15-year-old girl and member of one of Borromeo's Girl Scout troops.
According to Rice County investigators, Borromeo was the leader of a troop of middle-school aged girl scouts and co-leader for a group of even younger girls.
Authorities say they learned about the case after the 15-year-old victim, a student at Faribault Middle School, told a school social worker Borromeo raped her.
According to the criminal complaint, the contact started in 2007 when the girl was 14. Authorities say Borromeo admitted to having at least five or six sexual encounters with her at her house and exchanging inappropriate cell phone pictures. He allegedly told investigators he loves her.
"It's always difficult dealing with the emotional side of these cases, particularly with young victims such as in this case, you have to be sensitive to the fact that it's hard for the victim to talk about these issues," says Paul Beaumaster, Rice County Attorney.
Authorities tell us the local Girl Scout council checked Borromeo's criminal background before he became a leader. There was nothing significant in his history.
Borromeo was convicted of misdemeanor theft in Dakota County and fined $200 in 2005, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, but has no other criminal record.
The Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys issued the following statement:
"Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys was disturbed to learn a Girl Scout volunteer in Rice County was arrested and faces felony charges. In accordance with Girl Scout practices, the volunteer was immediately removed as a volunteer with Girl Scouts.
"Our primary concern is always the safety and well being of the girls we serve. This is a terrible situation for any family to face. To the best of our knowledge, we understand that no criminal activity took place during any Girl Scout meetings or activities.
"Girl Scouts is working with the appropriate authorities and will not comment further on the ongoing investigation."
"Investigators say Borromeo is married with his own young children. And they say there may be more victims with more charges possible."
KARE 11 also talked to the Girl Scout officials about their policy on male volunteers. They say men can and do become leaders but each troop has two adults and the co-leader must be a woman.
