Burnsville Man Convicted of Sex Assault at Apple Valley Gym

A Burnsville man will spend two months in jail for molesting a woman at a health club in Apple Valley.

Sourisack Sihanantharath, 37, pleaded guilty to fifth degree criminal sexual conduct on Feb. 11. On April 9, 2013 he was convicted for the incident, which occurred on May 15, 2012.

That day, Apple Valley police were called to a gym on report of a sexual assault. The victim told officers that she first noticed Sihanantharath while she was stretching, and said he was looking at her in a way that made her uncomfortable.

Sihanantharath approached the woman and began talking to her. He asked her if she was single. The victim told him it was none of his business, and walked away. Sihanantharath followed her out to the pool, and continued to harass her, in spite of consistent rebuffs.

When she got out of the pool and into the hot tub, Sihanantharath followed and gradually slid over until he was beside her. The he grabbed her wrist and forced her hand down his pants and onto his genitals, according to the criminal complaint. He then grabbed her in a bear hug and forced her onto his lap and groped her in numerous places.

On April 9, 2013 Judge Thomas Pugh sentenced him to a $100 fine and 60 days of confinement in the county jail, with credit for three days already served. He is currently booked at the Dakota County Jail. 

Sihanantharath will also be subject to two years of supervised probation, during which his probation officer will have final word on any gym membership. He was also ordered to pay restitution, attend a sex offender treatment program and submit to Polygraph testing as necessary.