Brooten man pleads guilty to fondling child in 2019

Linda Vanderwerf, West Central Tribune, Willmar, Minn.
·1 min read

May 7—OLIVIA — A Brooten man pleaded guilty Wednesday to fondling a child in Renville in 2019.

Travis Dean Ryks, 36, pleaded guilty in Renville County District Court on a charge of felony second-degree criminal sexual conduct for allegedly having sexual contact with a child younger than 13.

Sentencing is set for July 12.

Ryks was first charged in May 2019. Postponement or cancellation of some hearings carried the case into 2021, when the pandemic caused further cancellations and delays.

According to court documents, Ryks allegedly touched a 12-year-old girl numerous times in Renville in 2019.

He was accused of touching and fondling the girl's breasts. He also was accused of lying on top of the child and reaching under her top.

The girl eventually told her father about the abuse, and he contacted Renville County authorities in May 2019.

An investigation found text messages of a sexual nature from Ryks to the girl as well. In one text, the girl responded and told him her age.

He remains free on $20,000 bond. Release conditions include no unsupervised contact with minor children, cooperating with probation on the presentence investigation and no alcohol or substance use.