Charges filed in child sexual assault investigation in Ward County

A 40-year-old Minot man faces a AA-felony charge on accusations he sexually assaulted a 10-year-old child.

Prosecutors have charged Barry M. Lindeman with gross sexual imposition, victim under 15 and defendant at least 22.

According to the criminal affidavit, Minot Police notified the Surrey Police Chief early Saturday morning that a man, later identified as Lindeman, had confessed to them to sexually assaulting a child while living in Surrey.

Investigators say Lindeman admitted to the Surrey Police Chief that he performed sex acts on the victim multiple times while living in Surrey, when the victim would have been 10 years old. He also said these acts occurred while he was living in Harvey.

Lindeman made his initial appearance on the charge Monday. He remains in custody in the Ward County Jail and will be back in court for his preliminary hearing and arraignment Jan. 16.

The charge carries with it the maximum sentence of life in prison without parole.

An attorney was not listed for Lindeman as of Monday evening.