A Stearns County sheriff's deputy faces multiple felony charges for criminal sexual conduct. The deputy is accused of sexually abusing three minors between July 2008 and December 2009. The deputy was placed on leave from the Sheriff's Office on December 10, 2009, the same day the first victims came forward.

Two of the victims were members of the Sheriff's Department's Explorer Post, of which the deputy was the leader. A third victim is a relative of the accused.

Penalties in Minnesota

Like many states, Minnesota has sentencing guidelines for those found guilty of sexual offenses. A sentence is proscribed based on the degree of the criminal sexual conduct offense and criminal history.

For instance, the sentencing guidelines for criminal sexual conduct in Minnesota, for someone without a criminal history, are:

• First degree criminal sexual conduct - 144-173 months
• Second degree criminal sexual conduct - 90-108 months
• Third degree criminal sexual conduct - 41-58 months
• Fourth degree criminal sexual conduct - depending on the charge, either 18 or 24 months
• Fifth degree criminal sexual conduct - 15 months

Depending on the charge, a judge has the discretion to stay a prison sentence.

Also, a conviction for most criminal sexual conduct offenses in Minnesota carries mandatory registration as a predatory offender. Registration as a predatory offender requires providing the following information to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA):

• Address - both primary and secondary
• Vehicles owned and operated
• Employment information

Registration is required for the duration of probation or 10 years, whichever is longer. Failure to keep the BCA informed of current information may result in a longer period of registration.

Facing Harsh Consequences? Contact an Attorney.

With the sentencing guidelines available, the deputy is aware of the penalties that are faced if found guilty. Along with many months in prison, the deputy faces having to register as a predatory offender.

Because of the severity of the penalties, it is important to contact an experienced criminal defense attorney as soon as you are charged with or learn that you are under investigation for criminal sexual conduct.