Man pleads guilty to Inappropriately touching Children at Duluth Waterpark

DULUTH, Minn. – A man from Alexandria pleads guilty to inappropriately touching children while at the Edgewater Waterpark in Duluth.

Jackson Wichtendahl, 25, of Alexandria, was handed a deferred sentence on Friday that could see him avoid jail time for two counts of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct. The case stems from a 2024 incident at the Edgewater Waterpark in Duluth involving Wichtendahl and three juveniles.

On Nov. 29, 2024, Duluth Police responded to the waterpark for reports that a man, later identified as Wichtendahl, had grabbed three juveniles while in the pool area. Staff reported that they told Wichtendahl to leave the property, but he refused. Wichtendahl also attempted to grab a staff member’s phone when they were speaking with 911 dispatch, according to court documents. Police and witnesses said that Wichtendahl appeared heavily intoxicated at the scene.

Witchtendahl submitted what is called a “Norgaard Plea,” which allows defendants to admit guilt and accept a plea deal while claiming they do not remember the facts of a case due to intoxication or amnesia.