Decorah man is facing five counts of first degree sexual conduct with a minor

A Decorah man--46-year-old Chad Sabanish--has made an initial appearance in Mower County District Court in Austin, Minnesota on five felony charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a child under the age of 13.

The investigation into Sabanish involved authorities in Winneshiek County, Mower County and from the Iowa Department of Human Services.

The juvenile involved in the case told investigators the abuse started when he was six and stopped when he was 10.  

A news release issued March 5th by the Winnishiek County Sheriff's Office said Sabanish was picked up on a nationwide warrant and was brought back and booked into the Winneshiek County Jail on March 4th.  On March 5th, Sabanish was interviewed by the Austin Police detective and a Winneshiek County detective about the allegations of sexual abuse in Austin and Decorah. Sabanish denied the allegations and said the juvenile made it up.

Sabanish was then charged with the five felonies in Mower County Court in Austin.  He will have another court appearance on Thursday, April 9th.