Warrant Issued for Burnsville Man Accused of Criminal Sexual Conduct

A nationwide warrant has been issued for a Burnsville man accused of criminal sexual conduct with an 11-year-old girl.

James Michael Harrington, 23, faces two felony counts of criminal sexual conduct, each of which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a $30,000 fine.

According to the criminal complaint, an 11-year-old girl reported to Burnsville police in January that during the fall and winter of 2010, Harrington touched her inappropriately on three separate occasions.

The victim told police that she was lying on a futon while Harrington was taking a nap, and she fell asleep beside him. When she woke up, she realized that Harrington had his hand under her shirt and on her breast, she said.

On the second occasion, the victim said she spent the night in the home and fell asleep on the futon. Harrington was also on the futon, and when the victim woke up, Harrington had his hand in her pants beneath her underwear, touching her inappropriately, she told police.

The victim said no words were exchanged, and when she moved, he pulled his hand away and she fell on the floor. Harrington went to his bedroom at that point, she said.

The third time, the victim and Harrington were lying on the couch, and the victim said she fell asleep. When she woke up, Harrington again had his hand in her underwear and was touching her inappropriately, she said.

The victim said Harrington asked her, “Do you want me to stop?”, but she was too scared to answer. When she got up from the couch to go to the bathroom, Harrington also stood up and said good night.

Police spoke to Harrington, who admitted sleeping on the couch with the victim on one occasion. He told police that he fell asleep and when he woke up, he had his hand in the victim’s pajama bottoms because he believed it was his girlfriend.

Harrington’s whereabouts are unknown. Anyone with information about him should contact local police.