Minneapolis Sex Offenses Law Blog

Lawmakers and law enforcement in many areas of the country are struggling with the issues of child pornography and an apparent trend of teens who engage in the idea of sexting. Studies suggest that the sexting trend among teens may be growing.

Few Minnesota parents may fully recognize the potential consequences that a juvenile may face if prosecutors seek to file charges over a nude or semi-nude photograph sent by a minor to another person. Both juveniles may be charges with serious sex crimes related to the trendy practice of sexting.

A recent study conducted by the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy and Cosmogirl says that about one out of every five teens has sent a nude or semi-nude photograph either through a cellphone or online. The study says that about 22 percent of teen girls have sent such images, with about 18 percent of teen boys participating in sending such photographs of themselves.

Rice County officials have charged a man with three counts of criminal sexual conduct, alleging that the 32-year-old man sexually assaulted a female relative. Faribault Police opened an investigation into the case last Saturday after the girl told an adult that the man had sexually assaulted her. The man has previously been convicted of sexually assaulting a female relative when he was a teenager.

The new allegations involve three separate counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. A first-degree sex crime is a felony carrying a maximum statutory penalty of up to 30 years in prison. When Faribault Police learned of the allegations, the girl was processed through the county Social Services Department. But, she was also taken to St. Paul to the Midwest Children’s Resource Center to be interviewed concerning the alleged assault.

Dakota County prosecutors accuse a man fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct after he allegedly groped a limousine driver February 25 in Apple Valley, Minnesota. Police claim that the man was under the influence and called a limo for a ride home. Authorities say that the female limousine driver claimed that the man did not seem to know where he wanted to go and eventually asked to be taken to the area of 157th and Galaxie Avenue in Apple Valley.

The woman claims that the man moved forward and touched her on the shoulder and chest. The woman says that she intended to drop the man off, but he pulled out $20 dollars for the limo ride and asked her to keep driving. She says that the intoxicated man tried to kiss her at that point. That is when the woman says that she pulled into a lot to wait for police. Apple Valley police say that the man denied doing anything during the alleged sex crime investigation.

Twin Cities area readers may have heard the recent story about a hospital accidently wrapping a stillborn baby in linens and losing the body. The sad story occurred in St. Paul hospital. The baby's body was later discovered in the laundry facility.

When the story broke, authorities opened an investigation into the family of the baby. A 32-year-old man has been charged with criminal sexual conduct in the aftermath of the investigation. Police believe that the man is the baby's father, and the mother reportedly is 14-years-old.