WORTHINGTON -- Lonnie Roger Haken, 53, of Worthington, pleaded not guilty to four counts of criminal sexual conduct Thursday morning in Nobles County District Court after waiving his right to an omnibus hearing.
Represented by Worthington attorney Larry Lucht, Haken sat quietly with very little to say, other than, "Not guilty, your honor," when asked by Judge Jeffrey Flynn how he pleaded.
Haken, a Worthington chiropractor, was charged in July with four counts of criminal sexual conduct after a 12-year-old child told her mother he had touched her inappropriately on more than one occasion while she was in his care. The mother brought the allegations to the Worthington Police Department, and the child was later interviewed in Sioux Falls, S.D., at Child's Voice.
Haken initially denied the charges, suggesting the child had made up the story. He later contacted the detective in charge of the case and admitted to touching the child on three separate occasions.
In August, Haken was investigated again after another victim came forward. She alleged Haken had sexually abused her for two years when he lived with her family almost 30 years ago in Richfield. The victim was 7 to 9 years old at the time. Because the statute of limitations had run out, those allegations were not charged to Haken.
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On Thursday, Nobles County Attorney Gordon Moore and Lucht agreed that three days would suffice for a jury trial, and Moore requested it be set for at least 60 days in the future as the state is still investigating and needs time to prepare. Lucht agreed to the timeline, and said Haken would waive his right to a speedy trial.
Other allegations against Haken are being investigated, according to Moore.
"We have not yet filed any additional charges," Moore said. "We are currently evaluating all information presented to the police department and trying to assess whether or not probable cause exists."
Bond was set at $25,000 in July, with the conditions of release stating Haken is to have no contact with juvenile females and no contact with the victim.
Before leaving the courtroom Thursday, Flynn reminded Haken those conditions were still in effect.
