A St. Paul man is facing one count each of first- and third-degree criminal sexual conduct in Ramsey County after an incident reported on April 20, according to prosecutors. The criminal complaint alleges sexual penetration carried out through coercion and by creating a reasonable fear of imminent great bodily harm. The accused remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Allegations and charges
According to a criminal complaint reported by Limitless Media News, prosecutors charged Sean Garrison McNerthney with one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of third-degree criminal sexual conduct. The complaint states that the first-degree count is brought under Minnesota Statute 609.342.1(a), alleging penetration in circumstances that caused the victim to reasonably fear imminent great bodily harm, and that the third-degree count cites Minnesota Statute 609.344.1(a) for coercion. The filing identifies McNerthney as the defendant but does not show a public plea entered at this stage.
What the law says
Under Minnesota law, a conviction for first-degree criminal sexual conduct may be punished by up to 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $40,000, while a third-degree conviction can carry up to 15 years in prison and a $30,000 fine, per Minn. Stat. §609.342 and §609.344. The statutes also outline conditional release and establish sentencing presumptions that can affect how and when a sentence is imposed if there is a conviction.
Defendant's background
Court records show that McNerthney has prior domestic violence-related convictions. A Minnesota Court of Appeals opinion issued in October 2024 summarizes a previous domestic assault conviction involving him. That appellate document is available through public case records and provides context about earlier proceedings involving the same defendant.
Next steps in court
The case is scheduled to move forward in Ramsey County District Court in St. Paul, where initial appearances, scheduling, and requests for counsel are handled at the Kellogg Courthouse. Public dockets and filings will list future hearing dates and any formal pleas entered in the case. The Minnesota Judicial Branch provides information on how court appearances work and how defendants who cannot afford an attorney may apply for a public defender.
Legal context
If convicted, the offender could face conditional release obligations and may be required to register as a predatory offender, depending on the conviction, according to guidance from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Sentences and post-conviction requirements vary by case and depend on the specific statutes and sentencing guidelines applied by the court.
