Mentor, Minnesota (trfnews.i234.me) – A Mentor man has pleaded not guilty to two felony sex crime charges connected to allegations involving an underage employee at a restaurant where he worked as a manager.
Francisco Arellano, 38, waived his omnibus hearing on Thursday, November 13, and entered not guilty pleas to felony first- and third-degree criminal sexual conduct. The first-degree charge carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and includes a mandatory minimum sentence of 12 years.
Court records show the case was filed on June 11, 2024. The allegations stem from an incident earlier in April 2024. According to a probable cause statement, law enforcement interviewed a 14-year-old girl on May 1, 2024, who reported inappropriate sexual contact with Arellano during a work shift.
The girl told investigators the contact occurred in exchange for a nicotine vape pen. She stated that Arellano had made inappropriate comments to her in the past when they were alone. She also said Arellano knew her age, which was discussed previously and was listed on her job application.
According to the complaint, surveillance footage from the business appeared to support her account. The footage reportedly showed Arellano leaving the restaurant to buy a vape in Fosston, then returning and placing an item under the counter where the girl later retrieved it. Arellano later gave statements that conflicted about whether he provided the vape.
Additional footage also showed the girl walking toward a secluded part of the property, with Arellano following shortly after. Both were seen leaving the area within seconds of each other, according to the report.
Arellano told investigators the girl expressed interest in sexual activity, but said he never intended for anything to happen.
The case remains active in Polk County District Court. A pre-trial hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. on January 13.
Information on Minnesota criminal sexual conduct laws is available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch at mncourts.gov.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
Francisco Arellano