By Joy Powell and Katie Humphrey
Star Tribune
October 22, 2009
http://www.startribune.com/local/south/65205132.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DUqyE5D7UiD3aPc:_Yyc:aUU
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| Robert Stibal |
Peter Stibal, long the scoutmaster of a Burnsville Boy Scout troop, allegedly molested the boys at several places from 2002 to 2008.
A few parents were uneasy about the longtime scoutmaster of Troop 650 in Burnsville, in part because he was known to spend time alone with individual scouts, which is prohibited. But until this week, most of those scouts and their parents had no idea just how bad the allegations against Peter R. Stibal would become.
Stibal, 44, of Burnsville, was charged Wednesday with six felony crimes for allegedly molesting three scouts. Several parents whose sons were not the victims say that Stibal often broke the rule that required two adults to be present on all outings with scouts.
Some had even asked for his ouster over the years, but he kept his post.
Wednesday's charges in Dakota County District Court allege Stibal molested three boys between 2002 and 2008, including acts of sexual penetration. Burnsville police are continuing to investigate Stibal, who also interacted with young people during trips and other youth activities through his church. He also worked as a substitute school bus driver in the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage district.
One of the victims reported the alleged abuse to Burnsville police this month, and the ensuing investigation found two other victims, according to court documents. Police are continuing to investigate if there were other victims.
"Between the church and his full-time job dealing with school transportation and the Boy Scouts, he had access to a lot of children over a long period of time," Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said.
For families connected to the scout troop, the news hit hard.
"I feel like the rug was pulled out from under me," said Michael Nelson, 19, an assistant scoutmaster and Eagle Scout with Troop 650.
He said Stibal's behavior seemed a bit odd at times, but the news that he had allegedly molested children was shocking to several scouts and their parents.
Stibal, who is single and has no children, earned his own Eagle rank as a member of the same troop.
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