Paynesville Man Sentenced for Sexually Assaulting Second Girl

ST. CLOUD (WJON News) -- A Paynesville man who was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison for sexually assaulting an 11-year-old girl, has been given additional time for sexually assaulting another girl who was between 13 and 16 years old.

A Stearns County judge has sentenced 42-year-old Matthew Steinemann to a 15-year sentence that runs concurrent with the previous sentence. It means Steinemann will serve the lengthier of the two sentences.

One of the victims said the sexual abuse happened in 2016 while the other victim said the abuse occurred between 2019 and 2023.

In separate case files, the girls told authorities Steinemann would sexually assault them in their rooms and give them alcohol, marijuana, and cigarettes to stay quiet.

Get our free mobile app

Steinemann pleaded guilty on Wednesday to 1st-degree criminal sexual conduct against the second victim. A jury convicted him on two counts of 3rd-degree criminal sexual conduct back in March for the crimes against the first child.

Steinemann gets credit for serving 173 days in the county jail.

LOOK: These Are the Best Places to Live in America

Stacker compiled a list of the best places to live using Niche data, which ranks places based on factors such as the cost of living.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

LOOK: This Is the Signature Sandwich From Each State

Stacker researched staple sandwiches—the kind that makes residents proud—and highlighted one from each state that everyone should try.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

LOOK: How Many of These Classic Summer Toys Do You Remember?

If you grew up in the Wild West of the '60s, '70s, or '80s, summer toys were a lifeline because many of us were locked outside (until the street lights came on). Inside was no place for a kid! Check out these classic summer toys that kept us cool, kept us busy, and always seemed to add a dash of danger.

Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz

Filed Under: stearns county district court

Categories: courts, From the WJON Newsroom, St. Cloud News