State officials say seven men have been arrested and charged in a northern Minnesota human trafficking ring. The defendants, including five from Minnesota, were arrested Wednesday through Friday during an undercover operation. They’re being held in jails in Itasca and Pennington counties. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension led the sting in partnership with the Tribes United Against Sex Trafficking Task Force and Itasca County Sheriff’s Office. The BCA says the men connected with undercover investigators on sex advertisement websites. Many of the charges involve soliciting a person believed to be a minor.
- Chad Arther Dockendorf, 45, of Grand Rapids, Minn., was charged with solicitation of a person believed to be a minor and 4th degree DWI.
- Matthew Ty Hall, 32, of Mount Pleasant, Texas, was charged with solicitation of a person believed to be a minor.
- Derek Wayne Jokinen, 44, of Sawyer, Minn., was charged with solicitation of a person believed to be a minor.
- Bruce Duane Jones, 54, of Goodridge, Minn., was charged with communication of sexually explicit materials to a minor.
- Rusty James Marek, 56, of Grand Rapids, Minn., was charged with solicitation of a person believed to be a minor.
- Saihou Adrisa Sissoho, 20, of Chisholm, Minn., was charged with solicitation of a person believed to be a minor.
- Michael Kelly West, 53, of Rolla, Missouri, was charged with carrying a pistol without a permit and solicitation to engage in prostitution.
Senator Mitchell seeks trial delay until after the Minnesota Legislature adjourns
(KNOX) - Lawyers for Minnesota Democratic State Senator Nicole Mitchell are asking that her Becker County burglary trial be delayed until late spring, after the upcoming legislative session adjourns. The motion was filed Friday. Her trial is set for ...
Jan 10, 2025
Grand Forks Chosen For Potato Processing Facility
(KNOX) - Agristo, a family owned potato processing company from Belgium, has informed the City of Grand Forks they intend to build their first North American facility in Grand Forks. For the last three years Agristo has been working with local potato...
Jan 12, 2025
Grand Forks Planning and Zoning Commission Approved Changes in Preparation for Sports Facility
(KNOX) - The Grand Forks Planning and Zoning Commission has approved changes to lots on South 42nd Street. Grand Forks City Planner Sierra Johnson says the changes will not create traffic problems in the area. "We did have internal conversations...
Jan 10, 2025
Ribbon cut for the new Altru Hospital
(KNOX) - Altru and the City of Grand Forks cut the ribbon on a new seven-floor hospital. Hundreds if not thousands of people from the region toured patient rooms, surgical areas and laboratories. "This has been a long time coming," Grand Fo...
Jan 10, 2025
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