Sexual Assault Suspect Found Incompetent to Stand Trial

(KNSI) — A Watkins man charged earlier this summer for allegedly sexually assaulting a former classmate has been found incompetent to stand trial.

Prosecutors say police were called to a report of a rape about 4:30 the afternoon of August 23rd. The woman said 22-year-old Fernando Camillo Andrews was driving her to South Haven when he kept trying to kiss her and hold her hands. He is accused of pulling over, pulling her shirt down, biting her, and touching her inappropriately. She said she tried to get away, but he grabbed her and threatened her. She said Andrews then drove toward St. Augusta, where he again parked and forcibly touched her while holding her arm down. Court records say he tried grabbing her again, but she ran to a nearby house for help, where they called the police.

He was charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Court documents filed Wednesday in Stearns County show Andrews “is mentally ill or cognitively impaired such that they are incompetent to proceed in this matter” and that Stearns County Human Services now needs to conduct a screening and recommend whether he should be civilly committed or not. In the filing, Stearns County prosecutors say they are retaining authority over the case, and if Andrews is not committed, or once he regains competency, he must return to court to be prosecuted.

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