MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A sexual assault suspect turned himself into Roseville Police Friday night, authorities say, after a Washington County Sheriff’s chaplain recognized the suspect as being one his of church parishioners.
Lt. Lorne Rosand, a spokesperson for Roseville Police, said the chaplain was reading local news articles on his phone Friday and saw a picture of the suspect. After he recognized the suspect as a fellow church-goer, the chaplain called the suspect to church and showed him the story.
On the night of May 18, the suspect allegedly walked up to a 51-year-old woman in a Roseville mall parking lot, grabbed her buttocks and pushed his groin up against her. The assault ended only after the woman started kicking the suspect.
After being shown the story, the suspect and the chaplain traveled that evening to the Roseville Police Department, where the suspect confessed, Rosand said. The suspect, identified as 37-year-old Kevin Johnson of Oakdale, was then booked in the Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center pending charges on Tuesday.
In a press release, police said they believe Johnson might be responsible for similar assaults in the suburbs of Ramsey and Washington counties.
If convicted of criminal sexual conduct in the fourth degree (the charge on which he is booked), Johnson could face up to 10 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $20,000. Note: Johnson has not yet been charged, and the case is still under investigation.
