On March 30, 2026, at approximately 7:44 P.M., a police officer was dispatched to call for assistance at a residence in West St. Paul, Dakota County, Minnesota. The reporting party (hereinafter “Witness 1”) stated that an 18-year-old man was having sex with her 14-year-old daughter (hereinafter “Child A”). Witness 1 gave a description of the male and advised that he had left the area in a Toyota sedan. Upon arrival, a police officer spoke with Witness 1. Witness 1 explained that she had taken Child A to the Mall of America on March 27, 2026. On that occasion, Child A ran away, and Witness 1 had not had any contact with her until that day.
Witness 1 had been looking for Child A and found her at a friend of Child A’s residence. Witness 1 rang the doorbell and was allowed entry by the friend’s mother (hereinafter “Witness 2”). Witness 1 and Witness 2 then proceeded to a bedroom where they located Child A. Child A was laying on the bed with no pants or underwear on. An adult male later identified as MATTHEW LEE CHELBERG [DOB REDACTED] was standing at the edge of the bed with no pants or underwear on. Child A’s friend (hereinafter “Witness 3”) was also present in the room and fully clothed.
Witness 2 asked CHELBERG for his name and he responded “Pedro” and that he was 18 years old. When Witness 2 told CHELBERG that the girls were 14 years old, he ran from the house. Police officers observed that a window screen had been removed from the bedroom window, and a chair had been placed nearby to assist with entry and exit. Witness 3 advised that the bedsheets were removed because there was blood on them. The bedsheets were collected as evidence. Witness 3 advised that Child A and CHELBERG were in the bedroom alone for about ten minutes.
A police officer then spoke with Child A, who advised that she met CHELBERG through Snapchat about one month prior. CHELBERG told her that he was 18 years old. Child A advised that CHELBERG had been at the residence for approximately one hour. Child A advised that CHELBERG had vaginal and oral sex with her, but it was not forced. Child A also advised that at one point she told CHELBERG to “wait” because she wanted him to stop but he did not stop. Child A advised that CHELBERG ejaculated into her underwear.
Child A advised that she initially told the male she was 18 years old. Child A was transported to a hospital. At the hospital, Child A underwent an interview and physical 2 19HA-CR-26-751 Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 5/28/2026 examination. Child A provided a consistent statement and added that she did tell CHELBERG she was only 14 years old at her friend’s home. A police officer examined Child A’s iPad and observed conversations between Child A and CHELBERG. There was a text thread regarding having sex and smoking marijuana.
