Sex crimes defense
Accused. Not convicted. There is a difference. An experienced and deeply respected Minneapolis defense attorney, Thomas E. Harmon V, successfully defends clients from rape, solicitation, and other sex offense charges in Minnesota and federal courts, including the 8th Circuit.
A sex crime allegation changes everything — before a single charge is filed
The stigma is immediate. The consequences — to your family, career, and relationships — begin the moment an accusation becomes known. You need an attorney who knows this area of law in depth, right now. Thomas E. Harmon V has spent over 25 years defending people charged with sex crimes in Minneapolis, Saint Paul, Greater Minnesota, and in federal court. He brings prosecutorial experience and a deep command of the statutes and case law that govern these cases.
25+ years defending sexual offense cases in Minnesota
Sex crime defense requires a specialized command of law that applies to no other category of offense. Thomas has built that expertise over more than two decades of practice in state and federal court.
110+
Jury trials taken to verdict
100s
Of pretrial hearings to keep unlawful evidence out
State & Federal
Minnesota courts and U.S. District Court, 8th Circuit
Putting forward your best sex crime defense
Sex crime cases are often won or lost before trial — in the pretrial motions that determine what evidence the jury sees. Thomas files those motions early, aggressively, and with a thorough command of the law.
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When the case turns on who committed the alleged act, Thomas challenges photo arrays, lineup procedures, and identifications made under stress, in poor conditions, or across cultural differences.
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When the conduct occurred between adults and the dispute is about consent, Thomas builds the defense from the full record — communications, witness observations, and inconsistencies in the complainant’s account.
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Under Minn. Stat. § 609.341, subd. 10, a person must be truly mentally incapacitated or physically helpless — not simply drunk.
Thomas challenges the evidence of the complainant’s actual condition, their behavior before and after the encounter, and witness accounts.
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Under State v. Spreigl, 272 Minn. 488 (1965) and Minn. R. Evid. 404(b), the prosecution must meet specific requirements before using prior alleged conduct as evidence.
Thomas challenges Spreigl notices that don’t meet the standard or would be more prejudicial than probative (Minn. R. Evid. 403).
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Minnesota’s rape shield law (Minn. Stat. § 609.347) generally bars evidence of the complainant’s prior sexual conduct.
Thomas identifies the narrow exceptions and pursues them when the law and facts support it.
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When the complainant’s medical or mental health records may contain useful defense information, Thomas files timely motions for a private judicial review of those records under State v. Paradee, 403 N.W.2d 640 (Minn. 1987).
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Thomas scrutinizes DNA collection, chain of custody, lab methodology, and how the results are interpreted — retaining independent forensic experts when necessary.
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In child pornography and digital offense cases, Thomas challenges whether the search was constitutional, whether the IP address was accurately traced to you, and the chain of custody for digital evidence.
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Late reporting is allowed under Minn. Stat. § 628.26 — but limitations periods still apply in some circumstances.
Thomas examines every case for this defense.
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When the prosecution seeks an increased sentence because of a position of authority — teacher, coach, therapist — Thomas examines whether that relationship legally qualifies for the enhancement under Minn. Stat. §§ 609.342–609.345.
Trusted.
Defending against sexual offense charges
Minnesota’s criminal sexual conduct statutes create a tiered framework from misdemeanor to first-degree felony. Thomas defends clients at every level in state and federal court.
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(Minn. Stat. § 609.342)
Up to 30 years. Mandatory lifetime registration as a sex offender.
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(Minn. Stat. § 609.343)
Up to 25 years.
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(Minn. Stat. § 609.344)
Up to 15 years.
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(Minn. Stat. § 609.345)
Up to 10 years.
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(Minn. Stat. § 609.3451)
Gross misdemeanor; felony for repeat offenses.
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(Minn. Stat. § 609.352)
Felony.
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(Minn. Stat. § 617.247 / 18 U.S.C. § 2252A)
State and federal charges with mandatory minimums.
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(Minn. Stat. § 617.261)
Gross misdemeanor to felony.
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(18 U.S.C. § 1591)
Mandatory minimums of 15 years to life.
Criminal defense of child pornography, revenge porn, and digital sex offenses
Digital sexual offense prosecutions are aggressively pursued at both the state and federal level — and carry some of the harshest mandatory sentences in the criminal justice system.
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(Minn. Stat. § 617.247 / 18 U.S.C. § 2252A)
Each image is a separate count.
State: up to 5 years per count.
Federal mandatory minimums apply under 18 U.S.C. § 2252A, with sentencing escalated by the number of images and content under USSG § 2G2.2.
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(18 U.S.C. § 2252A)
Federal minimum: 5 years for receipt, 15 years for distribution with a prior conviction.
Thomas challenges IP attribution, the investigation’s methodology, and the constitutional basis of the search.
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(Minn. Stat. § 617.261)
Gross misdemeanor for a first offense. Becomes a felony for repeat offenses or when the victim is a minor.
Thomas examines intent, knowledge of non-consent, and whether the image was truly private.
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Secretly recording someone in a private space. (Minn. Stat. § 609.746)
Gross misdemeanor to felony.
Thomas challenges the privacy expectation and the defendant’s intent.
Key things to know about sex crime cases in Minnesota
Mistake of age is not a defense
Even if you genuinely believed the other person was old enough, that belief is not a defense to charges involving a minor under Minnesota law (§§ 609.342–609.345). The defense strategy must be built on other grounds. This is one of the most important things to understand from the start.
Late reporting is allowed
Under Minn. Stat. § 628.26, sexual offense charges can be filed years or even decades after the alleged incident — especially when the complainant was a minor. The long delay makes it harder to find evidence that might support the defense.
Thomas addresses delayed disclosures directly — through cross-examination and expert testimony on the reliability of long-delayed accounts.
The prosecution can move forward without a cooperative victim
Even if the complainant doesn’t want to proceed, the government may still prosecute using prior statements, medical records, and other evidence. Thomas knows how to challenge those materials and limit what the jury sees.
What a sex crime conviction actually costs you
A sexual offense conviction carries consequences that extend far beyond any sentence — into every area of your life, for the rest of your life.
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First-degree criminal sexual conduct carries up to 30 years.
Federal child pornography offenses carry mandatory minimums.
Position-of-authority enhancements increase sentences at every level.
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(Minn. Stat. §§ 243.166–243.167)
Most felony sexual offense convictions require registration as a predatory offender. Registration is public and searchable.
Failing to register is a separate felony.
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(Minn. Stat. § 244.052)
Upon release, a risk level is assigned. Level III (highest) can result in public press releases and neighborhood notifications.
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Registered sex offenders face restrictions on proximity to schools, parks, and other locations where children are present.
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A conviction involving a minor can result in supervised parenting time or termination of parental rights.
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Teaching, healthcare, legal, and virtually all professional licenses are revoked or denied following a sexual offense conviction.
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Sexual offense convictions trigger mandatory deportation for non-citizens.
Request a free consultation.
Get an assessment of your case from a criminal defense lawyer with deep experience in both Minnesota and federal courts. Connect with Harmon Law for a consultation and find out where you stand.