Pennington County, MN – A 45-year-old man from St. Hilaire has been sentenced for failing to comply with Minnesota’s predatory offender registration laws.
Case Details:
Defendant: Robert Jay Carson, 45 Location: Pennington County, Minnesota Charge:
- Failure to fulfill predatory offender registration requirements – subsequent offense (felony) Sentencing Date: February 2025
Sentencing Details:
Sentence: 24 months in prison (stayed for three years) Probation: Three years of supervised probation Conditions:
- Cooperate with the BCA Predatory Offender Registry
- Complete cognitive behavioral programming (if deemed necessary by probation) Fees & Fines: $210
How the Case Unfolded:
August 19, 2023: A Pennington County investigator spotted Carson driving a Ford van instead of his registered Chevy Cavalier—a violation of predatory offender registration laws.
The investigator later saw Carson drive the van to Kruse In and enter the store. Surveillance footage confirmed Carson was behind the wheel.
August 29, 2023: Carson was questioned about the van. He claimed it belonged to his cousin and believed he did not need to register the vehicle since he didn’t own it. When asked why his cousin was not present, Carson had no response.
Carson later called back and said he was retrieving supplies for his cousin.
Previous Incidents Involving the Van:
- November 6, 2022: Carson was involved in a car accident while driving the van in Thief River Falls.
- May 26, 2023: Carson was cited for a seat belt violation while driving the same van in Thief River Falls.
Prior Offenses: Carson had previously been convicted in Mahnomen County in March 2010 for failing to register as a predatory offender.
Law Enforcement Statement:
Authorities emphasize the importance of offender registration compliance in tracking individuals convicted of certain crimes.
“This sentencing serves as a reminder that failing to comply with predatory offender registration laws is taken seriously in Minnesota,” a Pennington County official stated.
What’s Next?
Carson will remain under supervised probation for three years and must cooperate fully with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s (BCA) Predatory Offender Registry.
If he violates probation, he could face his full 24-month prison sentence.
For more updates on crime and legal proceedings in Minnesota and North Dakota, visit TRF News.
I’m Chris Harper, reporting for TRF News