Rush City, MINNESOTA

ALL CHARGES DROPPED

Jan 20, 2008 - Timothy Bowland, 39, a social studies teacher and wrestling coach at Rush City High School has been arrested in connection with allegations of sexual misconduct with a 17-year-old female student.

He was charged with third-degree criminal sexual assault. Bowland was arrested at the school about 1 p.m. Friday, shortly after classes were dismissed. He has been placed on paid administrative leave.
Full Name: Timothy Alan Bowland

Jan 24 - The Post Review: A student, a friend of the victim, notified the administration last Thursday. The district then contacted the Chisago County Sheriff’s Office and the Minnesota Department of Education immediately.

Currently, there are three investigations underway. That of the County Attorney’s Office and Sheriff’s investigators, one by the Minnesota Department of Education, and an internal investigation by the school district, which is being handled by the district’s legal counsel.

Bowland was officially charged Tuesday with one count of third degree criminal sexual conduct. Next court appearance is Apr 1.

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TRIAL DATE June 13 - The Chisago County Attorney’s office is expecting to go to trial July 14.

At a lengthy omnibus hearing conducted on June 10, in front of 10th District Court Judge Douglas G. Swenson, attorney for Bowland, Julie A. Matonich, filed motions for additional discovery, including medical records and school disciplinary records for the victim, and a motion to grant the defense access to the site of the alleged assault, Bowland’s office at the high school. As well, a motion to dismiss the charges based on a lack of probable cause was filed.

Although it is possible Swenson could grant that motion, it is not common since judges rule on probable cause at the onset of a criminal case. According to County Attorney Janet Reiter, Swenson has been given additional information to bolster the determination of probable cause.

A concern regarding motions from the perspective of the County Attorney’s Office (the matter is being handled by Asst. District Attorney Jessica Stott), is that the defense will have adequate time to review discovery by the July 14 trial date, as the County Attorney’s Office would like to have the matter settled before the start of the 2008 - 09 school year.

CHARGES DROPPED July 28 - The Chisago County Attorney’s Office said it dropped all charges against 39-year-old Timothy Bowland. Prosecutors said there is not enough evidence to move the case forward.

Charges dropped against RC teacher

According to a press release from County Attorney Janet Reiter, details came to light recently that were considered unfavorable to the case, forcing a complete re-evaluation.

Reiter also explained her office’s subsequent action: “As public prosecutors we may not ethically proceed with a case if there is not a strong likelihood that there is sufficient evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt at trial. It was therefore our duty to dismiss this case at this point in time.”

CHARGES DROPPED