Convictions overturned in alleged Minnesota sex-trafficking ring

Those facing sex crimes charges in Minnesota may find the following story very interesting. More than 30 individuals were alleged to have been involved in a conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of children in three states, including Minnesota.

However, of the original 30, only nine have yet been prosecuted for the prostitution ring at trial. Six of those nine have been acquitted by a jury. The charges have been dismissed against three of those charged because they were juveniles at the time of the alleged crimes. Now, most recently, three of the men who were convicted on the sex crime charges have had their convictions overturned.

The allegations were based primarily upon the testimony of a purported victim who testified at trial that she was forced into prostitution at age 12. However, according to new evidence, this witness apparently lied about her age. According to the defense, the alleged victim was 18 or 19 years of age at the time that she was connected with one of the defendants, who was also 19 years of age at the time.

Based upon this new evidence, the judge has recently overturned the convictions. Hopefully this will mean that these three accused men will now get out of jail in the near future. They may have to face a new trial, if the prosecution wins an appeal of this acquittal. If the prosecution decides not to appeal this decision, then they will be free men.

Hopefully this story will give hope to anyone who may be themselves the victim of allegations based upon fabricated evidence, but which can result in putting innocent people behind bars for crimes that they did not commit.

Source: Pioneer Press, “Judge overturns 3 convictions in alleged Somali sex-trafficking ring,” Dec. 19, 2012

Max Keller has won countless jury trial cases involving misdemeanors and felonies, sex crimes, and DWI’s. He is a member of the Minnesota Society for Criminal Justice, which only allows the top 50 criminal defense attorneys in the state as members. Max is a frequent speaker at CLE’s and is often asked for advice by other defense attorneys across Minnesota.

Years of Experience: Approx. 20 years
Minnesota Registration Status: Active
Bar & Court Admissions: State of Minnesota Minnesota State Court Minnesota Federal Court 8th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals State of Maryland

What to Do If You Have Been Charged with a Criminal Offense

A Santa Clara University study shows that over one million people in Minnesota have criminal records. In Minneapolis alone, 5,713 crimes are reported annually within an area of 100,000 residents. These criminal cases require the defendants to present evidence challenging the prosecutor's narrative. So, when does the defense present evidence in a criminal case? Your defense team presents evidence at the trial phase right after the prosecution team completes outlining the facts it intends to prove and how its evidence will prove you guilty.
Media attention and public scrutiny after conviction can hurt your personal and professional reputation, especially if your criminal case is high-profile. One of the questions you may ask is: How do I handle media attention and public scrutiny after conviction in Minnesota? You can do that by familiarizing yourself with your rights, having a witness present during a media interview, minimizing media consumption, and taking a break from social media. Building a strong support system and working closely with a criminal defense lawyer can help you handle or minimize the impact of public scrutiny.
The timeline for filing pre-trial motions in a criminal case in Minnesota varies with the type of motion. A motion related to the discovery of evidence or dismissal of a criminal case must be filed at least three days before the Omnibus Hearing. The prosecution is then allowed to respond to the motions, and the court sets the timeline for these responses.