Pennington County Woman Charged With First-Degree Sex Crime

Pennington County (trfnews.i234.me) — A Thief River Falls woman now faces a first-degree sex crime charge in district court.

Prosecutors say 41-year-old Denise Jeanette Wallace is accused of sexually abusing a child under 13.

The criminal complaint says the alleged abuse happened between January 23, 2021, and January 22, 2022.

Prosecutors say it happened at a home in Pennington County.

Wallace is charged with one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Prosecutors say it is a felony under Minnesota Statute 609.342 subdivision 1(a).

If convicted, she could face up to 30 years in prison.

She could also face a $40,000 fine, or both, under state law.

Investigators say several children were removed from the home shared by Wallace and stepfather Delwin Johnson.

Officials say the removal followed reports of ongoing abuse in the family home.

According to the complaint, one child later told medical staff and investigators about years of abuse in the home.

The filing says that child described both physical abuse and sexual abuse.

Forensic evaluations took place at the Family Advocacy Center of Northern Minnesota in 2022 and 2023.

Those evaluations involved several children who had lived with Wallace and Johnson, according to the complaint.

The complaint describes children reporting forced sexual activity and physical beatings.

It also includes reports of children seeing assaults against their siblings inside the residence.

One child reported being raped multiple times, the complaint states.

The filing says the child named both Wallace and Johnson as abusers.

Another child reported seeing Johnson sexually assault younger children, according to the filing.

That child said Wallace did not intervene during at least one incident, according to the complaint.

A later report from a guardian in 2023 said a child sent detailed text messages about the abuse.

The complaint says those messages described repeated sexual assaults and threats in the home.

In 2025, a parent contacted law enforcement with additional concerns, according to the complaint.

That parent said children disclosed more information about abuse involving both adults.

The children now live away from Wallace and Johnson, according to the filing.

Prosecutors say the pair later moved near the route the children travel most days.

Prosecutors also point to Wallace’s record in the complaint.

It lists a prior felony conviction for third-degree assault causing substantial bodily harm.

Court records also list a prior conviction for domestic assault.

The filing also notes earlier misdemeanor convictions for disorderly conduct and driving while intoxicated.

The case is filed in Pennington County District Court in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.

The court file number is 57-CR-25-740, according to online records.

Prosecutors say the charge against Wallace is based on investigative reports and forensic interviews.

They also cite medical evaluations that are attached to the complaint.

First-degree criminal sexual conduct is one of Minnesota’s most serious sex offenses.

It can involve sexual penetration with a child or the use of force, under state law.

Anyone charged with a crime is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Wallace is expected to make her initial court appearance at a later date.

That date was not yet listed in public records at the time of this report.

More information about Minnesota criminal court cases is available on the Minnesota Judicial Branch website.

Resources for sexual assault survivors are available through groups such as RAINN and the
Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.