Updated: 10/22/2009 8:07 AM KSTP.com | Print |  Email
By: Becky Nahm

Burnsville Troop Leader Charged with Molesting 3 Scouts

Three Burnsville Boy Scouts have accused their troop leader of sexual molestation, and police fear there may be more victims because the man had access to children in a number of different ways.

Peter Robert Stibal II was charged with six counts of criminal sexual conduct in the second degree. He appeared in court to face the charges Wednesday.

According to the criminal complaint, the alleged abuse occurred between 2002 and 2008 at Boy Scout camp, movie theaters, Stibal's cabin and his Burnsville home. The alleged incidents involved children as young as eleven.

Police also said they found child pornography on Stibal's computer.

Dakota County attorney James Backstrom said, "It's just a very sad, very tragic, very troubling set of circumstances."

According to the complaint, Stibal, 44, admitted he had been alone with some boys, which he knew was a violation of scout policy. He also admitted giving some of the scouts backrubs, but he denied sexually assaulting them.

After learning of the allegations, Boy Scout leaders removed Stibal, 44, from his position as Scout Master of Troop 650. He had held the position since 2003. Before that he served as the troop's assistant Scout Master for three years.

Boy Scout officials said Stibal passed a criminal background check when he first joined the organization. They said they ran another background check last week after learning of the allegations. It too came back clean.

In addition to serving as a Boy Scout leader, Backstrom said Stibal worked for First Student Bus Company. His primary duties involved office work, but occasionally he drove buses.

Backstrom said Stibal also volunteered with youth at his church in Burnsville.

The church is currently notifying members of the allegations.

The Boy Scouts sent letters home to parents.

Stibal is being held in jail on $1 million bail without conditions or $500,000 with conditions.