DULUTH — A local man has been accused of sexually abusing a young child nearly a decade ago.

Last week, a summons was issued in State District Court for Joseph William Bruce, 41, who lives in the Brookston area of ​​the Fond du Lac Reservation in St. Louis County. Louis.

The criminal complaint says the alleged victim recently disclosed to a therapist that she was abused by Bruce when she was about 7-8 years old.

The girl, who was known to the defendant, recalled that he removed her underwear and used his hand to assault her, involving penetration. She indicated she was too scared to do or say anything and felt “disgusted”, while he later laughed about it.

Bruce, in an interview, reportedly denied involvement, saying he doesn’t even remember the child’s name and has never spoken to her.

He remains free and was ordered to make an initial court appearance on Dec. 23. A conviction on the charge usually carries 12 or more years in prison under state guidelines.

A check of court records indicates that Bruce has a handful of mostly low-level convictions on his record. He has a felony count of financial transaction card fraud and misdemeanor counts of fifth-degree assault and disorderly conduct.

Tom Olsen has covered crime and the courts and the 8th Congressional District for the Duluth News Tribune since 2013. He is a graduate of the University of Minnesota Duluth and a lifelong resident of the city. Readers can contact Olsen at 218-723-5333 or [email protected].