Former police officer charged with criminal sexual conduct, possession of child porn

(ABC 6 News) — A former Rochester Police Department officer charged with second-degree criminal sexual conduct and possession of pornographic work involving minors made his first appearance Monday in Olmsted County District Court. 

Court documents state the victim is under the age of 16 and reportedly had a “significant relationship” with 42-year-old Joshua Laber. 

Over the course of several months in the fall of 2019, Olmsted County Social Services reported that the victim said Laber made sexual advances, touched the victim inappropriately, and had feelings for them. 

According to court documents, the victim said Laber placed a camera in the bathroom while the victim showered. 

A search warrant was executed Jan. 16 and 17 at Laber’s residence and vehicle, which reportedly turned up images of child pornography on a laptop. 

An omnibus hearing for Laber is scheduled for April 30. 

ABC 6 News reached out to the Rochester Police Department for comment.  In a statement, Rochester Police Captain Casey Moilanen said, “Mr. Laber resigned from the police department nearly 5 years ago.  The current charges that Mr Laber is facing stem from conduct that occurred after he resigned from the police department.  The conduct alleged in the charges filed against Mr. Laber are absolutely contrary to the department’s mission and core values.”