Beltrami County ( trfnews.i234.me ) – A Faribault man is facing charges after prosecutors say he sexually assaulted a Bemidji high school student he met on social media.
According to court records, 25-year-old Tyrell James Hunt Sr. is charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct involving penetration. The victim was between 14 and 15 years old at the time of the assault.
Incident Reported
The juvenile reported the incident in February 2024. She told investigators she met Hunt on Facebook, where he repeatedly asked her to go for a walk. She said Hunt brought alcohol and marijuana. She later snuck out of her home and met him. The assault allegedly happened in an alley, where Hunt raped her.
Charges and Sentencing
Hunt now faces felony charges in Beltrami County. Prosecutors say the evidence supports the victim’s report. The charge carries a significant prison time if he is convicted.
At the time of the charge, Hunt was already serving a prison sentence in Faribault for felony DWI. He remains in custody as the new case proceeds.
Legal Context
Under Minnesota law, third-degree criminal sexual conduct includes sexual penetration with a victim between 13 and 15 years old. The law applies even when the offender uses no force, due to the victim’s age. Convictions often result in mandatory prison sentences and sex offender registration.
For more information on Minnesota’s criminal sexual conduct statutes, visit the Minnesota Legislature website.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
