A second alleged sexual assault in a month has been reported involving St. John’s University and nearby College of St. Benedict (CSB/SJU) in Stearns County, Minn.
John Anderson Kocher, 18, of Chanhassen, has been charged with third- and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving an incident that allegedly took place in early December.
According to charges filed in late February in Stearns County District Court, police responded to a sexual assault report on Jan. 30, 2026. Police met with the victim who stated she, Anderson Kocher, another male and two females were hanging out in the victim’s dorm building on Dec. 6 to 7, 2025.
The victim told police she had been drinking and that Anderson Kocher had missed the last bus back to his dorm at St. John’s. She agreed to allow Anderson Kocher to stay in her dorm room, providing nothing sexual would occur.
The victim alleged that Anderson Kocher began kissing her while they were in bed but told him to stop. She eventually kissed him back but said she again repeatedly told him to stop after contact advanced. The victim said she later woke up to Anderson Kocher fondling her through her clothing. One of the witnesses later communicated to the victim that Anderson Kocher had stated that he and the victim had intercourse. On Dec. 9, the victim went to St. Cloud Hospital for a sexual assault exam.
Police examined an Instagram messenger exchange that took place between the victim and Anderson Kocher while they were interviewing the victim. At one point, Anderson Kocher said, “I never meant at all to do anything without you permitting me but I was still stupidly drunk.” Anderson Kocher also apologized for touching the victim while she slept.
When interviewed by police, Anderson Kocher eventually admitted touching the victim in a sexual manner, and admitted that he did not ask victim if it was okay or confirm whether she was awake.
Anderson Kocher is scheduled to make his first court appearance on March 9 and has retained a private attorney.
Anderson Kocher has been charged by summons to appear in court, as opposed to an arrest warrant, so there is no available booking photo at this time.
This newest case was filed less than a month after another St. John’s University student, Brian Muindi Kimithi, 19, was charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct through use of force. The victim in that case told police that she awoke on Jan. 27 to Kimithi raping her. Kimithi allegedly also strangled the woman while pinning her down. Kimithi remains in custody on $200,000 conditional release bail. The school later reported that Kimithi was no longer enrolled at the school.
Media reports indicate that CSB/SJU plan to implement programs to educate students on consent, healthy relationships, bystander intervention and community responsibility in the wake of the two cases.
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Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
Crime Watch MN
Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
