KEYC - Mankato News, Weather, Sports - - Berger makes court appearance in Sibley County

Berger Makes Court Appearance in Sibley County on Sex-Crime Charges

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SIBLEY COUNTY, MN -

A Fairfax man suspected in a child-abuse investigation involving three counties made his initial appearance in Sibley County Court on Thursday.
 
Troy Matthew Berger is facing three felony counts of second-degree criminal-sexual conduct.
Berger is also facing 23 criminal-sexual conduct charges in Nicollet County.
 
On Thursday, the court set an omnibus hearing for next month. As for Berger, he didn't have much to say to the judge or to News 12.
 
Shackled up, 37-year-old Berger was escorted into the courthouse saying 'no' when asked by News 12 whether he had any comment about the charges he's facing.

Berger is facing three counts for sexually abusing minors. Officials say the victims were known to him.

Assistant Sibley County Attorney Don Lannoye is prosecuting the case.
 
"This is probably the most serious crim-sex case that I've come across as a prosecutor," Lannoye said.
 
Authorities say Berger's alleged victims are all currently under 14.

The next step in the case is an upcoming omnibus hearing.
 
"So we'll submit...all our police reports and at that time just ask the judge to set this on for a jury trial," said Lannoye.
 
Berger's public defender wouldn't comment to us about the case. After the hearing, Berger was taken back to the Sibley County jail.

Prosecutors says plans are in the works to seek a tougher sentence than what the state guidelines call for.
 
Berger is due back in court on March 7th at 11 A.M.

Berger's wife is also facing a gross misdemeanor charge in connection with case.