Grand Forks (trfnews.i234.me) – A Grand Forks man has formally acknowledged there is sufficient evidence to convict him in a deeply disturbing child sexual abuse case involving two alleged incidents from over a decade ago.
On Monday, April 7, Allen Timothy Dunn, 39, appeared in court and entered an Alford plea to two counts of Class A felony gross sexual imposition—charges that carry a maximum sentence of 20 years per count.
👧 CHARGES INVOLVE CHILD VICTIM AT LOCAL CHURCH
According to an affidavit of probable cause, Dunn was 25 years old when he allegedly initiated sexual contact with a 4-year-old girl at a local Grand Forks church in 2011. A second incident reportedly took place in 2013, outside of the church setting.
The allegations came to light in July 2024, when the now-teenage victim disclosed the events, prompting an immediate investigation.
During interviews with law enforcement, Dunn admitted to some of the allegations, though he later entered an Alford plea—a legal move that allows a defendant to maintain innocence while accepting conviction based on overwhelming evidence.
🧑⚖️ SENTENCING SET FOR JULY 28
Court records confirm that a pre-sentence investigation is now underway to help guide the court’s decision at the upcoming sentencing hearing, which is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on July 28.
Dunn remains charged with two Class A felonies, each punishable by up to 20 years in prison under North Dakota law.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News
🔍 Did you know?
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A Class A felony in North Dakota is among the most serious non-homicide offenses, punishable by up to 20 years imprisonment.
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An Alford plea is often used when a defendant doesn’t want to admit guilt but acknowledges the prosecution likely has enough evidence to convict.
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Delayed disclosure by child victims is common in abuse cases, often surfacing years or even decades later.
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Pre-sentence investigations involve psychological assessments, background reviews, and risk evaluations before the court finalizes sentencing.
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The case underscores the long-term trauma that child abuse victims endure and the importance of thorough investigative follow-up, even years later.