Apple Valley Man Charged with Sexual Conduct with Vulnerable Adult

An Apple Valley man has been charged with criminal sexual conduct after police say he attempted to get a vulnerable adult to have sex with him.

David Loren Haukos, 69, is charged with fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

According to the criminal complaint, the victim called police on July 6 and told them that he is considered a vulnerable adult because of a mental disability and bipolar disorder. He lives in a group home in Dakota County and travels by bus.

The man said he was working at a store in Apple Valley on July 1, and after work walked to the on Cedar Avenue and 155th Street so he could catch a bus home to Burnsville.

When he arrived at the station, he used the restroom. When he came out, he said an older man – later identified as Haukos – struck up a conversation with him, and invited the victim to his house.

The two men took the bus to Haukos’ home, where Haukos asked the victim to hook up his DVD player. The victim tried unsuccessfully to do so, and as he was walking toward a chair, Haukos told him that his pants were falling down, and asked him to come over to his chair, the complaint says.

The victim told police he thought Haukos was going to help him adjust his pants, but instead, Haukos unbuckled the victim’s belt, pulled down his pants and grabbed his genitals, according to the complaint.

The victim said he tried to push Haukos’ hand away, saying, “I don’t swing that way.” The victim adjusted his clothing and sat down, and Haukos told him he wanted to have sex with him, the complaint says.

The victim said Haukos got out of his chair, stood directly in front of him and masturbated for 15 to 30 seconds, then stopped. The victim said he didn’t know what to do, so he watched television with Haukos, whom he said “was constantly staring at his crotch” and telling him that what happened was all right, and that he had done such things to “lots of other guys.”

When the victim got up to leave, Haukos followed him and again tried to touch him inappropriately, the complaint says. He told police that he took the bus home, but that he is now afraid to ride the bus because he fears he might encounter Haukos again.

Police subsequently interviewed Haukos, who admitted meeting the victim at the bus station and bringing him home, where he said they talked and watched TV. He denied touching the victim or behaving in a sexual manner.

Haukos is scheduled to make a first appearance on the charge Oct. 24 in Dakota County District Court in Hastings.