Court imposes sentence in criminal sexual conduct against minors case

A former Cook County resident, who moved to Wisconsin during his senior year at Cook County High School, returned to Grand Marais on January 28 for sentencing on felony charges of criminal sexual conduct against minors.

As it was during the October 28 hearing at which the young man, now 18, entered a guilty plea, the Cook County courtroom was filled with community members. Among those present were the young women involved in the case and their parents, grandparents, and friends.  

Judge Michael Cuzzo said because the court wishes to protect the identity of young people, most of the sentencing would be confidential and closed to the public.

One felony count was public due to the age at which it occurred. That matter was handled first and members of the public were able to remain in the courtroom as the judge asked the accused if he understood the charges against him and the sentencing conditions. The answer was yes.
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Judge Cuzzo asked the man’s attorney, Andrew Small, and County Attorney Molly Hicken, if they had received the pre-sentencing report from Cook County probation. The report included a psychosexual evaluation. The attorneys confirmed that information had been received.

Victims of crime are given the opportunity to speak at sentencing hearings and the young woman in this case came forward to do so. She read a prepared statement, starting by saying that before this assault she was “a blank canvas,” just 13 years old.

Quiet weeping was heard from the audience as she shared what led up to the incident and the trauma that followed. She summed up her statement by saying she hoped that others could learn from her pain. She said she wanted to make her statement to let everyone know that Cook County does not put up with predators.

Judge Cuzzo then went over the sentencing details, without mentioning the plea deal that had been made in October. At that time, three counts against the defendant were dismissed, including counts of first-degree, third-degree, and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. Those counts were dismissed as part of what Cuzzo described as a “global agreement.”

Additional crimes, which are non-public under the rules of the court, were a combination of guilty pleas and dismissals pursuant to the settlement. As those charges involve minors, they are not public under court rules and statute, therefore no further information has been provided.

The defendant entered a guilty plea on the one public charge, which occurred when he was 16 years old.

Cuzzo reviewed sentencing details.  He said the respondent’s case falls under extended juvenile jurisdiction, which means an adult sentence will be imposed if he does not successfully complete probation which lasts until his 21st birthday.

Cuzzo said the conditions of probation are that he participate in the Alpha Human Services sex offender program and must register as a sex offender per Minnesota guidelines. He must also provide a DNA sample to be kept on file.  

His probation requirements also mean that he must have no contact with victims and must not be closer than 1,000 feet of their residence or anywhere they may be visiting. He may not have contact with any females under the age of 18; must be enrolled in school or employed; must not use any mood-altering drugs, unless prescribed; must submit to random drug testing; and must complete 200 hours of community service.

If the man complies with and completes all the terms and conditions of probation, he will not serve the adult sentence which would potentially be up to 14 years.