St. Paul Man Charged with Sexual Assault of 13-Year-Old Girl Met on Dating App
A disturbing incident has come to light in St. Paul, Minnesota, where a 32-year-old man, Brandon Jesse Johnson, has been charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct and possession of a firearm without a permit. According to the charges, Johnson met a 13-year-old girl on a dating app, picked her up from Monticello, and sexually assaulted her at his apartment.
Johnson’s arrest came after St. Paul police responded to a call to assist another law enforcement agency in locating the missing girl. Officers tracked her phone to Johnson’s apartment in the Hamline-Midway neighborhood, where they found her partially clothed on a bed. The girl told police that she had downloaded a dating app and connected with Johnson early that morning, and he had picked her up around 3 a.m. from a park near her home.
Investigation and Charges
The investigation revealed that Johnson had given the girl alcohol and marijuana, and she had felt “completely out of it” and scared. He also had a gun in his car, which made her fear for her safety. After the assaults, Johnson fell asleep, and the girl texted her mom for help. Police found a black semi-automatic pistol in Johnson’s car, a used condom in the kitchen garbage, and a bottle of tequila on the counter.
Johnson denied having any sexual contact with the girl and claimed he did not pick her up for that purpose. However, evidence collected from the girl’s examination and a forensic examination of Johnson has been submitted to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for testing and comparison. The results are pending.
Consequences and Next Steps
A judge set Johnson’s bail at $80,000, and he remains jailed. An attorney is not listed in his court file. The incident highlights the dangers of online dating and the importance of parental vigilance. It also raises questions about the responsibility of dating app companies in ensuring the safety of their users, particularly minors.
The incident is a reminder of the need for awareness and education about online safety, consent, and healthy relationships. As the investigation continues, it is essential to prioritize the well-being and support of the victim and her family.
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