Brainerd Man Charged with Sexual Assault of Stepchild

BRAINERD, Minn. – Charges allege that a Brainerd man sexually assaulted his stepdaughter for years, before she came forward to her mother and police.

Authorities have charged 34-year-old Fred Robert Stumbo of Brainerd with three counts of criminal sexual conduct after allegations that he sexually assaulted his stepdaughter.

The girl, who the report said is now 15, and her mother first went to police with the allegations on Jan. 10. That same day, officers informed Stumbo of their investigation and obtained his phone.

During a forensic interview with investigators on Feb. 4, the girl detailed sexual abuse beginning at the age of 8 or 9 and continuing until she was around 11 years old, according to the report. She told authorities that the incidents occurred at their family home in Brainerd.

According to the criminal complaint, the girl said Stumbo would give her money, food, and a phone in exchange for “playing with her body.”

The complaint stated that Stumbo came in to speak with investigators voluntarily on Feb. 7. Initially, Stumbo admitted to “groping” his stepdaughter but later said he had engaged in additional sexual acts. He said he couldn’t remember many details because he had consumed a lot of alcohol.

The complaint said that Stumbo also admitted to exchanging gifts for sexual contact. Stumbo estimated his stepdaughter was around 12 or 13 years old when the abuse occurred.

Officers reported finding Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) on Stumbo’s phone, which he allegedly admitted to possessing during his interview.

Stumbo faces 90 years in custody, if convicted on all three charges.