Hawley Man Faces 7 Felony Charges Involving Teen
HAWLEY, MN (northwestmnnow.com) – A 20-year-old Hawley man faces seven felony charges involving alleged sexual assaults against a teenage girl.
Harrison Heath Hinz was charged in Clay County District Court in October 2026.
Prosecutors allege the incidents occurred between 2024 and early 2025, when the girl was 14 and 15 years old.
The criminal complaint describes several incidents involving alleged unwanted sexual contact.
Hinz was 18 when the alleged incidents began, according to court documents.
Seven Felony Charges Filed in Clay County
Hinz faces two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct.
He also faces three counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct.
The charges carry different possible penalties under Minnesota law.
Some of the most serious counts carry maximum prison sentences of up to 30 years.
These are potential penalties, not sentences imposed by the court.
Readers can review Minnesota’s criminal sexual conduct laws through the Minnesota Office of the Revisor of Statutes.
Investigation Began Following May Report
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office received information about possible sexual assaults in May 2026.
Investigators later interviewed the teenage girl about the reported incidents.
According to the complaint, she knew Hinz through a shared school activity.
The two began communicating through social media.
The girl reported that Hinz made inappropriate comments and requested explicit photographs.
She told investigators she did not send the requested images.
Complaint Describes Alleged School Incidents
The complaint outlines three alleged incidents between fall 2024 and January 2025.
The girl reported unwanted physical contact during those encounters.
She also described an alleged sexual assault inside a school room in January 2025.
According to the complaint, she suffered injuries during the reported incident.
Investigators collected her account during a forensic interview, which is designed to gather information from possible abuse victims.
The allegations have not been established as facts by a court.
Hinz Appears in Clay County Court
Authorities issued an arrest warrant for Hinz in October 2026.
He was subsequently taken into custody and appeared in court on October 12.
Bond was reportedly set at $25,000 with conditions.
His next court appearance is scheduled for November 5, 2026.
The case will continue through the legal process as prosecutors present evidence supporting the charges.
Additional hearing information may become available through Minnesota Court Records Online.
Investigation and Court Proceedings Continue
The case involves allegations against a minor, whose identity is being withheld to protect her privacy.
The charges are based on statements and evidence described in the criminal complaint.
Hinz has not been convicted of the reported offenses.
He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Northwest MN Now News will continue following the case as new court information becomes available.
I’m David Keller reporting for Northwest MN Now News.
Copyright 2026 northwestmnnow.com. All rights reserved.
