Plea deal reached for Minneapolis officer involved in sex crimes

When one thinks of a Minneapolis officer involved in a sex crime, one thinks of the officer as part of the prosecution’s team, building a case against an alleged offender. In this case, a former Minneapolis park police officer was the defendant.

The Minneapolis Park & Recreation Board describes the Minneapolis Park Police Department as law enforcement limited to within the city’s public parks. According to a news report, a retired Minneapolis park police officer was charged with first degree criminal sexual conduct and 15 counts of possession of child pornography.

The alleged victim of sexual molestation was 15 at the time of the initial criminal charges, and the sexual contact reportedly had taken place over a three year period of time. Apparently, the prosecution reached out in search of other sexual molestation victims and more than two dozen additional potential victims were identified.

The potential punishment for one count of first degree sexual assault is a maximum of 30 years in jail. The news story did not mention any prior record, but clearly the former park police officer was facing significant time behind bars if convicted of the charges.

This week, just before a trial was about to begin, the defendant in this case plead guilty to one count of criminal sexual contact and three counts of possession of child pornography. The defense and the prosecution agreed on a sentence length of between 12 and 18 years in prison. Because a plea deal was reached, the alleged victim, now 17-years-old, will not be forced to testify.

When someone is accused of multiple crimes and more than one charge, the defendant can choose to minimize the negative consequences by pleading guilty to lesser charges. The discussions between the defendant and his attorney are, of course, confidential so we will not know what led him to his decision. Sentencing is next week.

Source: KARE-11, “Former Minneapolis officer pleads guilty to lesser sex crime charges,” March 9, 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

You might need to know the long-term impacts of a 3rd degree DWI if you have been arrested or charged with driving while impaired (DWI) in Minneapolis, MN. A 3rd-degree DWI conviction can affect you personally, professionally, socially, and financially. A DWI conviction carries consequences, such as paying huge fines, loss of income, paying higher insurance premiums, strained relationships, and reputation damage. Your driver’s and professional license may be suspended or revoked after you are charged or convicted of a DWI. You may also face a civil lawsuit, which costs you money in the form of financial compensation to the accident victim.
One of the questions that people facing sex crime charges in Minnesota ask is: Will I have to register as a sex offender if convicted? You will most likely be required to register as a sex offender if convicted of a sex crime. Factors that determine sex offender registration include the nature and severity of the offense, aggravating factors, civil commitment, and risk level. You must register as a sex offender if you are relocating to Minnesota for school, work, or to live and have been convicted of sex crimes elsewhere.
People facing drug crime charges who were victims of unlawful search or seizure may wonder, “What role does search and seizure law play in drug cases?” Under the Fourth Amendment, search and seizure law protects you from unreasonable searches and seizures by law enforcement officers. The Minnesota constitution provides similar protections.