Ex-WACOSA employee accused of gross misdemeanor

Editor's note: An earlier version of this story had an incorrect identification of a suspect.

The Stearns County Attorney's Office has filed a complaint against a 36-year-old Waite Park man accused of criminal sex conduct involving a vulnerable adult while working for WACOSA.

Michael Edward Lawson Jr., is accused of fifth-degree nonconsensual sexual contact, a gross misdemeanor, according to the complaint. A staff person told Waite Park police she saw Lawson touching the vulnerable adult's breast over her clothing on Jan. 6 at the WACOSA facilities in Waite Park, according to the complaint. The victim also told police Lawson had been engaging in unwanted sexual contact with her during a period of two years, including touching her and exposing himself, the complaint said.

The allegations initially became public when the Minnesota Department of Human Services released an investigative memorandum on March 26. Lawson no longer works for WACOSA, according to the organization.

The maximum penalty for the offense is up to a year in jail and/or a $3,000 fine.