A grand jury in Hennepin County has handed down a chilling indictment against Aaron Hjermstad, a former teacher and coach already serving time for previous offenses. The 45-year-old faces 12 counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, accused of assaulting victims all under the age of 13 between 2013 and 2021.
Hjermstad, who worked at two Minneapolis charter schools, is currently imprisoned under a 12-year sentence for similar crimes involving four other children he coached. Before his sentencing, he fled the state, triggering a nationwide manhunt that ended with his arrest in Idaho. Law enforcement discovered extensive evidence, including thousands of videos depicting assaults, some recorded at his Brooklyn Center residence.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension received this evidence, leading to the recent indictment. Each count carries a potential life sentence, with Hjermstad currently incarcerated at Moose Lake State Prison, set for release on November 21, 2029.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty condemned the crimes, emphasizing the need for communities to support abused children and aid in their recovery. She pledged to pursue maximum penalties in this “horrific” case, stressing that abuse is never the fault of the child.