Sherburn man accused of rape, sexual abuse of relative

A Sherburn man is accused of sexually abusing a younger relative.

Zander James Helmers, 19, was charged Friday in Martin County Court with four felony counts of 1st-degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim under the age of 16, and one count of felony 4th-degree criminal sexual conduct.

A criminal complaint says a 12-year-old girl reported in August 2021 that she had been routinely sexually abused by Helmers, her half-brother, from age 6 to age 11.  The complaint says the girl lived in another state and would stay in Martin County while she visited family twice a year.

The girl told investigators Helmers would make her watch pornography when he babysit her and force her to touch his penis, undress her, and rape her.  Helmers allegedly threatened the girl with a knife if she said no.

The complaint says Helmers admitted to a “range of sexual conduct he engaged in with the victim,” including watching porn, sexual molestation, and rape, in November 2021.

Helmers allegedly told police he knew his actions were “not right.”

Helmers has been summoned to appear in Martin County Court.