Plea change hearing scheduled for Clear Lake man accused of child sexual abuse

CLEAR LAKE — A plea change hearing has been scheduled for a Clear Lake man accused of child sexual abuse.

42-year-old Cole Gilbertson is accused of committing a sexual act against a 13-year-old child sometime between June 2022 and June 2023. He’s also accused of indecent exposure on more than one occasion in the presence of a child between June 2021 and June 2024. Gilbertson was arrested in early April.

Gilbertson had filed a not guilty plea and was scheduled to have his trial start on October 21st, but court records show a plea change hearing is now scheduled for October 27th in Cerro Gordo County District Court.