Just Probation for Rape of 14 Year Old Child

 In June of 2025 a Michael Lewis, DOB: 6/23/1956, was charged:

FELONY 609.322.1(a)(4) Engages in Sex Trafficking of Individual-Under 18 years old 64A Human Trafficking, Commercial Sex Acts 
FELONY 609.342.1(c)(ii) Criminal Sexual Conduct-1st Degree-Penetration Uses force, as defined in section 609.341, subd 3(2) 11A Forcible Rape 
FELONY 609.344.1a(b) Criminal Sexual Conduct - 3rd Degree - Penetration; Victim 14 - 15 Actor > 24m older 11A Forcible Rape  

According to the police report he lured the child to his home in Mahtomedi with promises of drugs. He gave the child drugs and while impaired he raped them with an accomplice Billy Ray Wiley. The child was found in a parking lot in Stillwater wandering yelling "no, no, no." 

The Washington County prosecutors dropped the charge of rape of an impaired victim under 18. A convictions that would have laned up to 15 years in prison. They also dropped the 1st degree rape. They appeared to reach a plea deal to convict the lesser charge of 3rd degree rape of a 14 year old. The prosecutors blamed the sentencing guidelines for the weak sentence of just 15 years probation. However, it's on the prosecutors for not going with 1st degree rape like prosecutors charge his accomplice of. The accomplice is serving 40 years for the rape of the child and a 20 year old. 

 This story is exactly why the child rape laws need to be stronger with better sentencing guidelines for one. The blame can be placed on the all democrat controlled legislature and Governor.  Our own Ethan Cha of Woodbury says: 

Democrat Ethan Cha Responds Saying Weak Child Rape Laws Are Fine

See some of the many cases in the last several years of those convicted of child sex crimes with weak sentences and plea deals:

Homicidal Rapist in Forest Lake Found With Child Porn Who Self Recorded Rape Now Convicted, Only 4 years  

Only 30 Days in Jail and Probation for Child Molester Who Had Sex with Lake Elmo Child 

Only a Year in Jail for Man who Gang Raped 14 Year Old Child in Woodbury

Man Who Repeatedly Raped a Child in Oakdale, Raped another Child While on Probation and Will be Out in 2 Years 

No Mandated Jail time for Convicted St Paul Park Man who Sexually Assaulted a Child  

Man Who Gang Raped Woodbury Child Only Gets 5 years Probation and 10 Months Prison 

Only 3.5 Years for Man Who Held Down & Raped Bayport Child While Taunting Her 

Just One Year in Jail for Oakdale Man Accused of Raping Under 14 Year Old

In Minnesota, left wing law makers and prosecutors believe child rapists can be "rehabilitated," do not need to be monitored, and can become good members of society. The evidence is the fact only several hundred of the over 20,000 convicted rapists in Minnesota are confined in prison. Most only do a couple years and then are released without further monitoring. More information here:

Watchdog Review of Each of the Fifty States Sex Offender Laws Finds Minnesota Ranked the Most Unsafe  

If you hope to see any law change, continue to contact law makers.

Find your legislator here: https://www.leg.state.mn.us/leg/districtfinder

See our 8 bill ideas to ask legislators to write

Tell legislators to also make the sex offender list public like 47 other states. All but MN, DC, and Maine have public lists. Maine only has 2,700 sex offenders in their state though. Compared to over 20,000 in MN. 26 states register sex offenders for life, MN lists most sex offenders to 10 years max.

*In no way do we wish harm to the convicted sex offenders outside the judgement of the law. Posting each criminal's public data anyone can get allows the public to decide from the evidence if they appreciate knowing such data. Such as what these sex offender's last known address is. No representation is made that the individuals listed here are currently on the state's offenders registry. All names presented here were gathered at a past date. Some persons listed might no longer be registered offenders and others might have been added. Some addresses or other data might no longer be current. Owners of Washington County Watchdog assume no responsibility (and expressly disclaim responsibility) for updating this site to keep information current or to ensure the accuracy or completeness of any posted information. All data was only accurate at the time of posting per Government sources provided. Accordingly, you should confirm the accuracy and completeness of all posted information before making any decision related to any data presented on this site. The information on this web site is made available solely to protect the public. Anyone who uses this information to commit a crime or to harass an offender or his or her family is subject to criminal prosecution and civil liability. Message us if you can verify us of an address or change in data.  Washington County Watchdog is not responsible for the accuracy of the content shared, refer to our linked government sources.     

DATE: 1/7/2026

DEFENDANT: Michael Lewis
DOB: 6/23/1956
CITY/RESIDENCE: Mahtomedi, MN
AGENCY: Washington County Sheriff's Office
JUDGE: Juanita C. Freeman
COURT NUMBER: 82-CR-25-2858
Was initially charged with: 
FELONY 609.322.1(a)(4) Engages in Sex Trafficking of Individual-Under 18 years old 64A Human Trafficking, Commercial Sex Acts 
FELONY 609.342.1(c)(ii) Criminal Sexual Conduct-1st Degree-Penetration Uses force, as defined in section 609.341, subd 3(2) 11A Forcible Rape 
FELONY 609.344.1a(b) Criminal Sexual Conduct - 3rd Degree - Penetration; Victim 14 - 15 Actor > 24m older 11A Forcible Rape Criminal Sexual Conduct - 3rd Degree - Penetration under 18 - Impaired/incapacitated/helpless
CONVICTION: Criminal Sexual Conduct - 3rd Degree - Penetration; Victim 14 - 15 Actor greater than 24m older

Interview with William Beck for Cottage Grove area HD 41B

 Here's our interview with William Beck who is running for the legislature in house district 41B that covers Cottage Grove, Denmark Township, Hastings, and Nininger Township. He's the endorsed republican candidate for this November's election.

1.) Tell us about yourself, how long have you lived in the Cottage Grove area? What line of work are you in?

 I'm a husband and father of two young kids, and they're the reason I decided to run for office. Like a lot of young families, we're thinking every day about what kind of Minnesota our kids will grow up in. After graduating from college, my wife and I bought our first home in Hastings so we could be closer to family. I'm a former teacher and now work as a lab technician. I also serve on the board of a public charter school in Woodbury and on the Heritage Preservation Commission in Hastings. Outside of work, my family spends a lot of time advocating for Minnesotans with disabilities, which is something that's very personal to us.

2.) Many would say it is refreshing to see a person new to politics enter the race. How has your real world experience going to impact the way you legislate?

This is the first time I've ever run for public office and I think that's one of the biggest strengths of our campaign. I don't have years of political baggage. I know what it's like to work a regular job, raise a family, and live within a budget.

I'm a Republican, but I'm not interested in being a rubber stamp for anyone. If I'm elected, my job is to represent the people of Cottage Grove, Denmark Township, Hastings, and Nininger Township, not party leadership. Sometimes that will mean voting with my party and sometimes it won't. My goal is to make decisions based on what's best for the people I represent.

My background in education and healthcare also gives me a unique perspective on two of the biggest parts of the state budget. Those are areas where we need to deliver great services while also making sure taxpayer dollars aren't being wasted or stolen through fraud.

3.) What are your top three issues you would like to address if you were elected?

Our campaign is built around three priorities: affordability, accountability, and academic excellence.

Minnesota has become too expensive for too many families. Whether it's property taxes, childcare, groceries, or energy costs, people feel like they're falling behind. We need to make it easier to build a life here.

We also need more accountability in state government. Minnesotans work hard for their tax dollars, and they deserve to know that money is being spent responsibly. We've seen too many examples of waste and fraud.

And finally, I want every student to have access to an excellent education. Parents should have a real voice in their children's education, teachers should have the support they need, and our schools should be focused on helping kids succeed.

3.) Being new to State level politics, who, if any, past or present, legislator is someone you admire and why? 

 I admire our two most recent State Representatives, Tom Dippel and Shane Hudella, for many of the same reasons. They're both friends of mine, and neither of them set out to make politics a lifelong career. They came to the Legislature with specific goals, got to work right away, and focused on delivering results for our community.

For Shane, that meant securing funding for the Hastings Veterans Home and working to combat the fentanyl crisis. For Tom, it has meant restoring fiscal sanity at the Capitol and securing funding to help Hastings build new water treatment facilities.

That's the kind of representative I want to be. I don't want to spend years climbing the political ladder. I want to get to work immediately and collaborate with anyone, regardless of party, to make progress on affordability, accountability, and academic excellence. I also believe our Legislature works best when it is made up of citizen legislators, not career politicians. That's why I plan to limit myself to two or three terms in the House.

4.) Minnesota has the weakest child rape laws. We wrote an article about it. Kare11 came out with a story on the weak sex offender laws in Minnesota sourcing a full study by Protect.org. “We know of no other state in the union with sentencing as weak as Minnesota’s for child sexual exploitation.” Our page has dozens of local stories about child predators walking away with weak sentences. This is a real local issue. We have 8 bill ideas. Would you consider helping to write a bill to address this issue? 

Absolutely. Protecting children should never be a partisan issue. If there are ways we can strengthen penalties for child predators, close loopholes, and better protect victims, I'd be proud to work with anyone (Republican or Democrat) to get that done. Keeping dangerous offenders off our streets should be common sense.

5.) How can people reach you and donate? 

The easiest way to learn more about my campaign, get in touch, volunteer, or donate is at BeckforHouse.com. Feel free to send me an email anytime at Beck4MN@gmail.com.

Henry Mathia for Washington County Sheriff Interview

 Here is our interview with Henry Mathia for Washington County Sheriff. He will be on the ballot this November. 

To view the response to each candidate for Washington County Sheriff see:
Jeremy Bolen Interview

Brian Mueller Interview

Henry Mathia Interview

1. Tell us about yourself and your background.

My name is Henry Mathia, and I am running to be the next Sheriff for Washington County,
Minnesota. I am a father, a Deputy Sheriff, and a Navy Veteran. In addition, I enjoy working out because physical fitness, health and wellness are essential and important to me. I was born in Freetown, Sierra Leone. After graduating from secondary school, I moved to the United States on October 10, 1997. Upon arriving in the United States, I enlisted in the US Navy in Baltimore on February 12, 1998. Upon graduating from boot camp in Great Lakes, Illinois, I was assigned to the USS SCOUT (MCM-8) at Naval Station in Ingleside, Texas. While assigned to USS SCOUT, I completed one deployment to Europe and the Middle East with INCHON TASK GROUP. In February of 2001, I received an honorable discharge from active duty and was then transferred to the Navy Reserve. In 2013, I received my commission through the Limited Duty Officer (LDO) program and was designated as a Navy Security Force Officer. Henry Mathia holds a BA degree in Criminal Justice from the University of St. Thomas, in St. Paul, Minnesota, and a Law Enforcement Certificate from the Minneapolis Community and Technical College in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Upon graduating from college, he started his civilian career as a Deputy Sheriff with the Ramsey County Sheriff`s Office, MN. Mathia is
currently a Patrol Deputy performing law enforcement duties within the contracted cities in
Ramsey County, Minnesota. Henry Mathia has served in the following Navy Reserve units: NCHB 7 Air Cargo, NOSC Minneapolis, Minnesota. NR Navy Security Force, Great Lakes, Illinois, and NR NSF in Rota, Spain. In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, he was mobilized to active duty in support of Operation Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom. He was mobilized to the following locations: NSA Bahrain from November 2002 to May 2003. CENTCOM Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, from September 2008 to August 2009. Camp Bastion, Afghanistan, from April 2013 to August 2013. Upon getting his commission, Mathia was assigned as the XO (Executive Officer) for the Naval Security Force (Reserve) Unit in Great Lakes, Illinois. In 2021, Mathia was assigned as Force Protection Officer for Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron 1 (MSRON-1) SBC Bravo, in Portland, Oregon. In 2020, Henry Mathia was deployed to Djibouti (Africa) as the Installation Security Officer (SECO). He was responsible for managing the training of Naval Security Force personnel tasked with providing security for property, information, and contingency operations within the Horn of Africa and CENTCOM AOR`s. In 2023, Mathia was deployed with Maritime Expeditionary Security Squadron ONE BRAVO (MSRON-1B) as the Officer-in-Charge for the Embarked Security Team and Aircraft Security Team in support of missions within the EUCOM, CENTCOM, and INDOPACOM AOR`s.
His personal awards include:

Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and
Marine Corps Achievement Medals, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, Armed Forces
Expeditionary Medals, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Armed Forces
Reserve Medal with “M” Device, NATO Medal, and numerous unit, campaign and service
awards.

2. Why are you running?

I am running because I believe I can make a major difference and I’m well prepared to meet the challenges ahead. My priorities are guided by the core values that have shaped my leadership: honor, courage, fairness, and integrity. I am a United States Navy veteran, a current Deputy Sheriff, and a proud father with more than 12 years of law enforcement experience and 26 years of military service. My campaign is centered on strengthening public safety, reinforcing community trust, and leading the Washington County Sheriff’s Office with integrity, accountability, and a servant-leadership philosophy.

Key priorities once I get elected include:
 Implement a maximum public safety initiative — not only to protect lives but also to
foster trust and economic growth. We will compile a threat level assessment and establish
mitigation protocols to protect our schools, judiciary, executive offices, shopping areas,
entertainment venues, and religious institutions.
 Protect our Constitutional Rights — As Sheriff, I will ensure that the Due Process and
Equal Protection clauses apply to everyone. I say again: EVERYONE. The 14 th
Amendment is probably the most consequential amendment in our Constitution. Hence, it
is fundamental for our existence.
 Force Generation — We will marshal the best resources to meet the county's demands,
including recruitment, retention, sustainment training, logistics, and operational
readiness.
 Community Cohesion — Foster unity and focus on shared values.
 Jail Management and Fiscal Responsibility — We must spend our tax dollars wisely.
 Initiatives to Combat Mental Fatigue, Depression, and PTSD

3. What are areas of improvement in the sheriff department that you will address?

Maximum Public Safety Initiative
One of my top priorities upon taking office will be implementing a Maximum Public Safety
Initiative designed to protect our residents, strengthen economic growth, and establish proactive response programs for critical institutions. This initiative will focus on safeguarding our lawmakers, judicial officials, schools, and religious institutions through comprehensive planning and preparedness. To accomplish this, I will build and maintain strong partnerships with local law enforcement agencies, the United States Marshals Service, the United States Secret Service, and the United States Capitol Police to ensure coordinated security efforts and rapid response capabilities. Improving Department Performance and Accountability
I am committed to improving our departments overall performance and accountability.
According to Police Scorecard, the Washington County Sheriff`s Office currently ranks at 47%
for safety and accountability when compared to similarly sized agencies. Areas requiring
improvement include the handling of police misconduct complaints, reducing racial disparities,
and strengthening public trust. I would implement internal processes and procedures that would foster an informed safety culture and ensure accountability for those at the lowest level to myself as Sheriff. My administration will implement measurable performance standards, increase transparency, and promote professional development to ensure the highest level of service to our community. Jail Management Reform Effective jail management is essential to both public safety and fiscal responsibility. A significant portion of taxpayer dollars is spent addressing lawsuits and liability issues that often stem from inadequate training, staffing shortages, and ineffective hiring practices.

I will prioritize:
 Enhanced and continuous training for detention personnel.
 Improved recruitment and retention strategies.
 Appropriate staffing levels to ensure safe operations.
 Policies that reduce liability and improve inmate and staff safety.

These reforms will help protect taxpayers while creating a more professional and efficient
detention system. Strengthening Community Cohesion Strong communities are built on trust, shared values, and meaningful partnerships. I will work to foster unity throughout our community by:
 Promoting a sense of belonging for all residents, regardless of background.
 Building partnerships with local businesses, schools, religious institutions, and
community leaders.
 Encouraging collaborative efforts that enhance public safety and community well-being.
 Developing a Family Care Plan for juvenile offenders that focuses on family involvement, accountability, mentorship, and early intervention. By bringing people together and addressing challenges before they become crises, we can create safer neighborhoods and a stronger future for everyone.

4. what sets you apart from the other candidates?

What sets me apart from other candidates is the breadth of experience I have gained through both my military and civilian careers. I recently retired from the United States Navy after 27 years of dedicated service. Throughout my naval career, I had the privilege of working alongside individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural, religious, socioeconomic, and political backgrounds. These experiences strengthened my ability to lead, communicate, and build effective teams in a wide range of environments.

During my military service, I held leadership positions at multiple levels, beginning as a work
center supervisor and progressing to Navy Chief and Officer-in-Charge roles. I also led units
during overseas deployment missions, where I was responsible for mission success, personnel development, and operational readiness under demanding conditions. In addition to my military experience, I have served with the Ramsey County Sheriffs Office for the past 14 years. Most of that time has been spent performing patrol duties in our contracted cities throughout Ramsey County. This experience has allowed me to respond to a wide range of
incidents, including high-profile and complex calls for service. These experiences have provided me with valuable insight into the challenges facing our criminal justice system and the importance of pursuing reforms that promote fairness, accountability, and positive outcomes for all members of the community. Throughout my law enforcement career, I have also had the opportunity to engage with residents, business leaders, and community stakeholders to discuss ways to strengthen trust, enhance public safety, and improve community cohesion. The combination of my military leadership experience and my extensive law enforcement background has prepared me to effectively lead this department and serve our community with integrity, professionalism, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

5. What is your website for people to get involved?

WWW.MATHIA4SHERIFF.COM; 

Facebook: Henry Mathia for Washington County Sheriff

Jeremy Bolen for Washington County Sheriff Interview

 Here are questions and answers from Jeremy Bolen for Washington County Sheriff. He will be on the ballot in November this year. 

To view the response to each candidate for Washington County Sheriff see:
Jeremy Bolen Interview

Brian Mueller Interview

Henry Mathia Interview

1.) Tell us about yourself and your background.
I was raised in a small town on the Iron Range of Minnesota. During high school, I was heavily involved in athletics as a manager and assistant athletic director, and I volunteered as a downhill ski instructor for the Special Olympics and local youth programs.

I have over 22 years of law enforcement experience with the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, where I currently serve as a Commander of Administration Services within the Patrol Division. My diverse background includes leadership roles in the Honor Guard, Water Patrol, and Community Support Services. I have also served in the Warrant Division, Real Time Information Center, Adult Detention Center, and various patrol divisions. Additionally, I am a Police Officer and Training Coordinator for the Minnesota State Fair Police Department.

2.) Why are you running?
After speaking with community members, neighbors, city leaders, and sheriff’s office employees, it became clear that Washington County needs a new style of leadership. My decision to run is driven by my 22 years of experience, a commitment to building strong community relationships, and a desire to bring innovation to the office. I believe the time for bold, compassionate, and resilient leadership is now. I am eager to serve the community I call home in a greater capacity.

3.) What are areas of improvement in the sheriff department that you will address?

  - Community Engagement: Prioritizing relationship building and transparency.
  - Mental Health and Substance Abuse: Implementing a Co-Response model with social workers and deputies to provide real-time support and treatment.
  - Staff Engagement: Listening to sworn and professional staff to better support the agency.
  - Youth Programming: Developing diversion and engagement programs to guide at-risk youth.
  - Partnerships: Enhancing collaboration with local law enforcement, government officials, and community partners.
  - Employee Wellness: Investing in better work environments and competitive benefits with direct input from the front lines.
  - Technology: Leveraging grants and new resources to tackle violent crime.
  - Bold Leadership: Implementing authentic policies, such as public body camera release protocols, and being adaptive to public needs.
  - Specialized Units: Creating a multi-disciplinary task force for violent crime and a motor vehicle enforcement unit to address distracted and impaired driving.

4.) What sets you apart from the other candidates?
My focus is on creating a sheriff’s office rooted in mutual respect and transparency. I understand that to provide high-quality public safety, we must first support our staff with the right tools, technology, and compensation to retain top talent. My approach combines innovative youth intervention to prevent criminal justice involvement with aggressive, technology-driven strategies to combat violent crime. Throughout my career, I have demonstrated the ability to build strong partnerships with city governments to resolve unique local challenges quickly and effectively.

5.) What is your website for people to get involved?
www.bolenforsheriff.com

Please feel free to reach out with any other questions you might have. Thank you!

Best regards,

Jeremy Bolen

Brian Mueller for Washington County Sheriff Interview

 Here are questions and answers from Brian Mueller for Sheriff. He will be on the ballot in November this year. The picture is off his Facebook page and is with current Washington County Sheriff Dan Starry. 

To view the response to each candidate for Washington County Sheriff see:
Jeremy Bolen Interview

Brian Mueller Interview

Henry Mathia Interview

1.) Tell us about yourself and your background.

I am Brian Mueller, and I've dedicated nearly three decades of my life to serving the people of Washington County. I'm a lifelong Washington County resident, a husband, a father of five, and someone who cares deeply about this community because it's where my family has built our lives.

Professionally, I've spent my entire law enforcement career serving this county. I served more than 23 years with the Washington County Sheriff's Office, working my way from Patrol Deputy through leadership roles including Sergeant, Commander, Chief Deputy, and serving 17 years on the SWAT Team, ultimately as Team Commander.  I have also served as Commander of the Washington County Drug Task Force. For the past several years, I've had the privilege of serving as Chief of Police in Stillwater.

Throughout my career, I've focused on building strong partnerships, supporting the men and women who serve, and finding practical solutions to challenges like violent crime, mental health, and substance use. I believe public safety is strongest when law enforcement works collaboratively with schools, businesses, community organizations, and other public safety partners.

2.) Why are you running? 

I'm running for Sheriff because I believe Washington County deserves experienced, proven leadership that is ready to lead on day one. I want to build on the Sheriff's Office's strong foundation while preparing it for the future. This includes supporting our deputies, embracing responsible innovation, and continuing to earn the trust of the communities we serve.  I believe we need to protect our most vulnerable while providing safe communities to raise a family.

3.) What are areas of improvement in the sheriff department that you will address?

The Washington County Sheriff's Office has a long history of outstanding service, and I believe it has a strong foundation to build on. My focus isn't on fixing a broken organization, but making a great organization even better. If elected, there are several areas where I believe we can continue to improve. These areas include continuing to reduce violent crime through proactive policing and regional partnerships; recruiting, retaining, and developing exceptional employees while prioritizing their wellness; strengthening our response to mental health and substance use challenges through collaboration with community providers; embracing modern technology that enhances public safety, transparency, and efficiency; expanding partnerships with our local police departments and other public safety agencies; investing in jail programs that reduce recidivism and improve successful reentry; and continuing to build trust through meaningful community engagement and responsive service.

4.) What sets you apart from the other candidates? 

Several things set me apart from the other candidates:

1. First is proven leadership. I've spent nearly three decades serving Washington County, including more than 23 years with the Sheriff's Office and now as the Stillwater Chief of Police.  I've led at every level of law enforcement, managed large organizations, built strong partnerships, and delivered results. I know this county, I know this office, and I'm ready to lead on day one. 
2. I am the only candidate that has led both a major sheriff's office at the executive level and a municipal police department.  This gives me a unique perspective into the relationship between the two.  
3. I am the only candidate that has ever worked in Washington County.  Knowing the community, providing public safety services and patrolling in every city and township in this county has helped me build partnerships to understand what the community wants and need in public safety from north to south.
4. Finally, as a lifelong Washington County resident, I have a deep personal investment in the safety and future of this community. This is where I was raised, where my wife and I chose to raise our family, and where I've dedicated nearly three decades to public service. My commitment to Washington County isn't just professional, it's personal. Every decision I make is guided by what's best for the community that my family and I proudly call home.

5.) What is your website for people to get involved? 

 https://www.muellerforsheriff.com/

Brian Mueller

Stillwater Chief of Police

Candidate for Washington County Sheriff

PO Box 25331

Woodbury, MN 55125

651-755-4702