Trial to Start Monday for Former Albany Teacher and Coach Accused of Sexually Assaulting a Student

(KNSI) — A jury trial is scheduled to start today in Stearns County on charges that a former Albany teacher and coach sexually assaulted a student.

32-year-old Daniel Sinclair Fragodt is accused of having sex with a student when she was 17 and touching another student who is 14.

According to the criminal complaint filed in Stearns County Court, police in Albany started investigating Fragodt in March of 2020 after a 14-year-old girl told police he touched her buttocks over her clothing and on her bare leg. The teen also told police Fradogt was having a sexual relationship with a student.

Prosecutors say the Melrose man started a relationship with the girl when she was 17. The older teen denied having any relationship with Fragodt, but phone records showed several phone calls and text messages between the two. The teen then admitted that two had sexual contact at the school, a park and ride in St. Joseph, and other areas around Albany.

Fragodt resigned his positions as a math teacher and coach of the girls’ basketball, track and field, and cross country teams in April 2020, just under a month after being placed on administrative leave while allegations were being investigated. He pleaded not guilty to one felony count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct in September 2020.

A jury trial was scheduled to get underway in February of this year but was canceled.

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