By Patrick Tepoorten

The Forest Lake man who was charged in the sexual assault of a 13-year-old girl in November of 2005 has begun serving a 180-day sentence at the Chisago County Jail and will be under the scrutiny of the Department of Corrections for up to 10 years.

Peter Charles Ramberg, 42, actually plead guilty to fourth degree criminal sexual conduct (engaged in sexual contact with another, knowing the person is impaired, incapacitated, or physically helpless) on April 10, but his sentencing was withheld until a psychosexual evaluation could be completed. Ramberg was sentenced to 180 days in jail, up to 10 years probation, and a host of stipulations on Nov. 7, and began his sentence on Nov. 21.

Ramberg originally faced multiple counts of criminal sexual conduct, ranging from first to third degree, after it was alleged by the victim that Ramberg had raped her while she was passed out in his truck.

According to County Attorney Janet Reiter, prosecutors were limited in pursuit of those charges by what they could actually prove beyond a reasonable doubt. Because the victim in this case was in a bar and engaged in adult activities at the time she met up with Ramberg, the County Attorney's office did not feel they could establish that Ramberg was aware of the victim's age at the time of the assault.

In other words, it was conceivable that Ramberg was under the impression the victim was of "the age of consent" thereby necessitating a reduction in charges.

Reiter's office felt the negotiated plea agreement was the best way to get a "sure conviction without having to put the victim through a trial."

Reiter confirmed that the plea agreement with discussed with the victim and her family, and that the victim's family was allowed to give an impact victim's statement at the time of sentencing.

In addition to time and jail and probation, Ramberg must:

• Attend a sex offender program;
• Have no contact with the victim;
• Have no possession of alcohol or drugs;
• Submit to random testing;
• Remain law-abiding;
• Submit to polygraph examinations as directed;
• Not possess/use any pornographic/sexually explicit material; computer, subject to search per probation;
• Have no alcohol/controlled substance use;
• Follow all instructions of probation;
• Have no contact with persons under age 18.

See also these past stories on the assault:

Forest Lake man charged in assault on teenager

More details on Ramberg emerge

Ramberg in court, victim's mother to face charges in sexual assault