Updated: Tue Nov. 03 2009 18:21:11
ctvedmonton.ca
The Red Deer man accused of kidnapping and sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl pleaded guilty Tuesday in court.
Gerard John Baumgarte pleaded guilty to kidnapping, using an imitation firearm, assault with a weapon, sexual assault, confinement and impersonating a peace officer.
In February, the teen was kidnapped from outside her Penhold, Alta. home.
She was later found at the Bower Place Shopping Centre in Red Deer about 46 hours after she was reported missing.
According to an agreed statement of facts, Baumgarte had thoughts of kidnapping someone and had searched to find a person for a couple of weeks prior to the incident. The man wore a police uniform to resemble an RCMP officer.
The court heard how Baumgarte pulled the teen over in her car for an expired registration. He told the teen to go wait in his car because it was cold outside. He then pulled a knife to her collar, she turned her head and he cut her cheek.
The agreed statement of facts also stated that Baumgarte put the teen in the trunk of his car and forced intercourse on her several times. It was also revealed in court that Baumgarte always wanted to be a police officer, that he put law enforcement on some sort of pedestal. He said he couldn't achieve that goal because he was not Canadian.
The court also heard the victim's impact statement. The Crown read, "This crime has made it so I cry all the time. I don't feel safe in my own home and I get scared every time I hear the slightest noise."
The victim's uncle, who cannot be identified to protect the teen's identity, told CTV News his niece is doing far better now than he could ever imagine
"I didn't really know a lot. I'd never heard any of the details before. I'd never heard what my niece had to go through, and I had prepared myself for it but nothing can ever prepare you for that," the man said.
The Crown has given no indication on what they are seeking for all six charges he's pleaded guilty to.
Baumgarte sentencing hearing continues Thursday and a decision is set to be handed down Friday.
With files from David Ewasuk
