Willmar man is convicted by county jury of sexual assault of six-year-old

WILLMAR -- A Kandiyohi County jury found a 30-year-old Willmar man guilty Wednesday of two criminal sexual conduct charges for sexually assaulting a 6-year-old boy in January.

The jury deliberated for about three hours before finding Manuel De Jesus Diaz-Orellana guilty of a first-degree criminal sexual conduct charge and a lesser included charge of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, according to Connie Crowell, Kandiyohi County first assistant county attorney, who prosecuted the case.

The verdict concluded a two-day trial in Kandiyohi County District Court before Judge Michael J. Thompson. The boy, now 7 years old, along with his parents and others, testified against Diaz-Orellana regarding the Jan. 26 incident, Crowell said.

Diaz-Orellana's sentencing date has not been set. He is awaiting sentencing in the county jail.