Mahnomen Man Charged in Alleged Sexual Assault

MAHNOMEN COUNTY, MN (trfnews.i234.me) – Matthew Aaron Harding, 36, faces a gross misdemeanor charge of fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct.

The charge follows allegations of unwanted sexual contact involving a relative at a Mahnomen County residence.

According to a criminal complaint, the reported incident occurred during the early morning hours of July 16, 2026.

The case is filed in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.

Relative Reports Alleged Sexual Contact

Law enforcement received a report concerning a past sexual assault around 5:22 p.m. on July 16.

An officer responded to a Mahnomen County residence and interviewed the person who reported the incident.

According to court documents, the complainant identified Harding as a relative who regularly visited the residence.

The complainant reported that Harding had requested permission to spend the night.

Such overnight visits reportedly occurred approximately twice each month.

During the visit, Harding allegedly spent time in the bathroom before sitting on the kitchen floor.

The complainant told investigators that Harding appeared to be behaving unusually.

Concerned about his condition, the complainant reportedly offered to contact emergency services.

Harding declined the offer, according to the complaint.

The complainant alleged that Harding later entered the living room partially undressed and made a sexually explicit statement.

According to the complaint, Harding then touched the complainant’s buttocks without consent.

The complainant also alleged that Harding pushed him onto a bed positioned on the living room floor.

The reported physical contact forms the basis of the criminal sexual conduct allegation.

The complaint does not describe additional sexual contact beyond the reported actions.

According to court documents, the complainant contacted another person around 12:30 a.m.

The complainant requested that the person come to the residence and pick up Harding.

The person arrived, and Harding left the residence.

The incident was later reported to law enforcement for investigation.

The supplied complaint does not describe any medical examination or physical evidence collected during the investigation.

Harding faces one count of fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving alleged nonconsensual sexual contact.

The offense is classified as a gross misdemeanor under the cited provision.

The criminal complaint lists a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail, a $3,000 fine, or both.

Any sentence would depend on a conviction and the court’s sentencing decision.

The criminal case is filed under Mahnomen County Court File No. 44-CR-26-508.

The complaint was issued as a summons.

No future hearing date or final case outcome appears in the supplied document.

Readers can search public case information through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The charge remains an allegation and does not establish guilt.

Harding is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.