NEW ULM — Former New Ulm Police investigator Eric Gramentz pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal sexual conduct in Brown County District Court Monday.

Gramentz, 43, of New Ulm pleaded guilty to one count of 1st-degree felony criminal sexual conduct victim under 16, significant relationship, multiple acts over time; and two counts of 2nd-degree felony criminal sexual conduct, significant relationship, victim under 16, multiple acts and 2nd-degree criminal sexual conduct, victim under 13, actor more than 36 months older. Sentencing will be arranged later.

Judge Allison Krehbiel said Gramentz will have a lifetime registration requirement and lifetime supervision.

According to court documents, Brown County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Andrew Konechne learned on April 4, 2022 of a criminal sexual conduct report involving Gramentz. On April 3, 2022, a victim told an adult that Gramentz touched her about four years ago, when she was 11 or 12 years old. The adult confronted Gramentz about the incident, telling him it needed to be reported. Gramentz agreed to turn himself in to law enforcement.

Gramentz admitted to touching the girl.

On April 5, 2022, Konechne and Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Special Agent Sam McGinnis watched an interview with the girl at the Mankato Child and Family Advocacy Center in which she said Gramentz touched her “private parts” more than once.

In addition, the girl said Gramentz told her not to tell anyone, so she didn’t tell anyone at the time.

Gramentz was held in the Brown County Jail on $500,000 unconditional bail; $300,000 with conditions or $40,000 cash. He was housed in the Waseca County Jail during the initial investigation to avoid any potential conflict of interest in the investigation. He was later moved to the Brown County Jail.

Brown County Attorney Charles W. Hanson asked Scott County Attorney Ron Hocevar to act as a special prosecutor in the case. Hocevar agreed to do so.