Alleged Unwanted Advances, Groping, Lead to Police Charges

Editor's note: Michael J. Hall was acquitted of all charges listed in this article on June 7, 2012. Please see for the most recent story.

An Inver Grove Heights man has been charged with criminal sexual conduct involving a mentally-impaired victim after police said he touched a woman inappropriately and tried to get her to have sex with him.

Michael Joseph Hall, 47, is charged with two felony counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, each of which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine.

Hall remained in the Dakota County Jail Tuesday on a $20,000 bond. An omnibus hearing in his case is scheduled for Aug. 22 in Dakota County District Court in Hastings.

According to the criminal complaint, the victim reported to Inver Grove Heights police last Friday that she was visiting a friend in Inver Grove Heights when Hall, a neighbor, approached her.

Hall told the victim, “You look hot. I want to have sex with you. You know, last week, I didn’t have the chance to talk to you. Now I want to talk to you more. I want to be your friend,” according to the complaint.

The victim said Hall told her to come back in 10 minutes, because he wanted to talk to her again. She said she went for a walk with her friend and returned to Hall’s home, where he allegedly continued to make sexual remarks and asked to see her driver’s license.

The victim told police that she showed Hall her license and told him she is a vulnerable adult because of a traumatic brain injury, according to the complaint.

While they were in the garage, Hall allegedly pulled the victim toward him, touched her inappropriately and attempted to kiss her.

The victim told police that she repeatedly said, “No, no, don’t do that,” but Hall didn’t listen.

“The victim reported that Hall was physically big and strong, and while he did not threaten her, she was afraid that he would hurt her,” the complaint said.

The victim told police that Hall eventually put his hand behind her back under her shirt and attempted to “get into her private areas.” The victim told Hall to stop, and he asked, “Are you serious?”, the complaint says.

The victim said, “I am serious,” and Hall pulled his hands out of her shirt, the victim told police.

Hall denied any contact with the victim.