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Man Accused of Giving Teen Drugs, Money for Sex Act

Saint Cloud, MN, USA / KNSI
Jake Judd
Jul 29, 2021 | 1:21 PM
Stearns County Jail

(KNSI) – A Big Lake man is accused of giving a teenage girl drugs and money in exchange for a sex act.

Mariano Cocchiarella allegedly talked a 13-year-old in Stearns County into performing a sex act on him for an ounce of marijuana and $90.

Police began their investigation after the girl’s foster parents found messages between the girl and Cocchiarella on her phone.

The teen admitted to meeting the 21-year-old man.

An undercover officer was posing as a 15-year-old girl in a chat room known for children being targeted for sex when Cocchiarella allegedly made contact.

The undercover officer says Cocchiarella asked her for sex and allegedly sent a lewd picture.

He’s been charged with criminal sexual conduct in the 3rd degree for soliciting a minor and attempting to soliciting a minor.

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