Vernon Bob Hintz, 55 of Little Falls, has been sentenced to 90 months in prison after being convicted of criminal sexual conduct in the second degree (victim under 16/significant relationship). Morrison County District Court Judge Douglas P. Anderson imposed the sentence Wednesday, also ordering Hintz to register as a predatory sex offender and provide a DNA sample for storage and comparison.
On Dec. 11, 2015, a victim under the age of 16 reported that she was sexually abused by someone with whom she has a “significant relationship” as that term is defined by law. She identified her abuser as the above-named defendant, Vernon Bob Hintz.
On Dec. 11, 2015, Morrison County Social Worker Jeff Guith and Investigator Jeremy Luberts of the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office took statements from several children before interviewing the defendant. Hintz admitted having sexual contact with four children under the age of 16. Each of the four children has significant relationships with Hintz.
Morrison County Attorney County Attorney Brian Middendorf, who charged the case, said, “These were brave children who came forth and told investigators personal details of their abuse. That took a tremendous amount of courage.” Assistant County Attorney Todd Kosovich, who prosecuted the case, said, “I am relieved that Mr. Hintz pleaded guilty. A trial could have been traumatizing for such young children.”
Kosovich said that Hintz will have an additional 120 months of prison “hanging over his head for 10 years after he is released from prison, along with the predatory offender registration requirement.”
“These poor children will have to deal with the consequences of his crimes for the rest of their lives, and now so will Mr. Hintz,” Kosovich said.