Maple Grove’s fire chief has been charged with sexually assaulting a minor 10 years ago when he was a firefighter with another Twin Cities fire department.
Maddison Micheal Zikmund, 36, of Blaine was charged Friday in Anoka County District Court with one felony count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor while in a position of authority.
According to the charges:
In late June, Blaine police responded to a phone call about a delayed criminal sexual conduct report from a female who said she had been sexually assaulted by Zikmund when she was a Fire Explorer with the Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds View (SBM) Fire Department. She said Zikmund was a firefighter and supervisor of the Explorer program at the time. Investigation into the accusation was referred to the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office (ACSO).
The victim subsequently spoke with a detective with the Criminal Investigation Division of the ACSO and stated that she became an SBM Fire Explorer in July or August of 2016, when she was 16 years old. The victim identified Zikmund as a group leader and firefighter. She described “grooming” by Zikmund during her time at the Explorer’s group.
The victim told the investigator that she and Zikmund began communicating by text, which later moved to Snapchat and Instagram conversations. As the conversations continued, the victim described the messages becoming more sexually explicit, with Zikmund requesting nude photographs of her.
In the spring of 2017, the victim said Zikmund invited her to his Blaine residence. After she arrived, they proceeded to a spare bedroom where she said Zikmund began kissing her and removed her clothing. She described sexual acts including penetration. The victim was age 17 at the time.
Zikmund submitted to an interview with the investigator on July 1, during which he admitted to being an authority figure with the SBM Fire Explorer group but initially denied having any memory of a specific Explorer who “may have been interested in him at the time.” However, Zikmund later admitted to receiving photographs or videos from an individual Explorer.
Zikmund then proceeded to identify the victim as the reason for the investigation before being informed of her identity by law enforcement. Zikmund then admitted to exchanging explicit and nude photographs with the victim.
Zikmund admitted that the victim had arrived at his residence, and it was “very uncomfortable.” Zikmund denied having sex with the victim but admitted to touching her sexually underneath her clothing. Zikmund later stated, “Again, I know this was wrong.”
Zikmund was charged by summons, so there is no booking photo. Zikmund is expected to make his first court appearance on Sept. 4. An attorney is not yet listed for Zikmund.
The City of Maple Grove posted a statement about the charge on its website:
“The City of Maple Grove is aware that criminal charges have been filed by Anoka County against Fire Chief Maddison Zikmund. Zikmund was hired by the city as the Fire Chief on April 7, 2025. The allegations are serious and deeply concerning. When the city became aware of the criminal investigation on July 1, the Fire Chief was immediately placed on administrative leave. This action is an administrative measure and is not a determination of wrongdoing.
The department’s command staff continue to oversee day-to-day operations, and fire and emergency services remain fully operational without interruption.
Because this is an active legal matter and a personnel matter, the city is limited in what it can publicly discuss. The city will continue to follow its established employment practices and procedures and take any additional actions that may be warranted based on the facts and circumstances. The city will communicate any further city actions as appropriate.”
Alpha News will continue to follow developments in the case.
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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.
