ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) –- A 38-year-old Oakdale man has been charged with sexual assault after he turned himself into Roseville Police late last week.
Kevin Johnson turned himself in last week in connection with the crime after a Washington County Sheriff’s chaplain recognized the suspect as being one his of church parishioners.
According to the criminal complaint, a 51-year-old employee at a store in the Crossroads of Roseville Mall was standing near her car on May 18 and loading items into her trunk when Johnson walked up to her. The victim reported he grabbed her buttocks, pushed her into the trunk and “ground his junk” into her back.
The assault lasted for about a minute, as the victim attempted to kick Johnson several times.
Surveillance captured the incident, but it wasn’t until the sheriff’s department chaplain read local news articles on his phone Friday and saw a picture of the suspect that Johnson was identified. After he recognized Johnson as a fellow church-goer, the chaplain called him. Johnson confessed to the crime.
He is now charged with one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. The maximum penalty upon conviction for that crime would be 10 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine.
Police said they believe Johnson might be responsible for similar assaults in the suburbs of Ramsey and Washington counties.
Johnson is set to appear in Ramsey County court on June 14.
