Man Charged in Violent Vadnais Heights Sexual Assault

Oct 31

A White Bear Township man has been charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct after a violent attack in Vadnais Heights.

Prosecutors say 21-year-old Tristen Alan Leritz forced a 51-year-old woman off the sidewalk on Centerville Road around 7:56 p.m. Tuesday while she was out for an evening walk.

> Sign up for the MN CRIME newsletter

THE FOLLOWING CONTAINS DESCRIPTIONS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT. DISCRETION IS ADVISED.

The victim told deputies she had been talking on her phone through headphones when Leritz ran into her from behind, covered her mouth and claimed he had tripped. He then forced her to the ground and ordered her not to scream.

The woman fought back, throwing his glasses into the grass and yelling for help as cars passed by. Leritz allegedly pinned her to the ground using his weight, covered her mouth and nose, and pressed his forearm against her throat, making it difficult for her to breathe. She told deputies she thought she was going to die. He then pulled down her leggings and forcibly penetrated her while making sexual comments and refusing to stop despite her pleas. The victim said the assault lasted 15 to 30 minutes before Leritz casually told her, “I have to leave this way, too,” and walked off down the sidewalk.

Deputies later found her shoes, headphones and glasses near the scene along with the suspect’s glasses. She was taken to a hospital, where a nurse examiner documented multiple injuries, bruising and bleeding. DNA testing from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension matched the sample collected to Leritz.

Investigators received public tips identifying Leritz as the suspect and arrested him at his White Bear Township home. In a post-Miranda interview, Leritz initially denied involvement but eventually confessed, saying he saw the victim walking, decided to attack her “since I’m a virgin,” and admitted that “my stupid urges took control.” He told investigators he “fully raped her,” acknowledged penetrating her and said he obstructed her airway and knocked her phone away to delay her from calling for help. He estimated the assault lasted about 20 minutes before he rode home on his bicycle.

PREVIOUSLY: Deputies Arrest Suspect in Vadnais Heights Sexual Assault

Court records show Leritz is 6 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 248 pounds. He has a prior felony conviction in Anoka County for motor vehicle theft in 2024 and a pending burglary charge in Ramsey County.

He was ordered held on $500,000 bail and remains in custody pending further proceedings. If convicted, Leritz faces up to 30 years in prison and a $40,000 fine.

> See more of our latest coverage