Teen Predator Bust: Minnesota Deputy Arrested & Charged in Sting Operation

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A member of the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office is facing multiple felony charges after attempting to solicit sexual acts form an undercover officer posing as a young girl online. 

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That’s according to a criminal complaint filed in Olmsted County Court on Friday.

The charges say an undercover officer with the Rochester Police Department and an agent with the Minnesota BCA were posing as teenage girls online in order to catch individuals seeking to solicit sexual acts with underaged girls. 

On Wednesday, the Rochester Police officer received an online message from a man identified as 44-year-old Mathew Adamson of Rochester. The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to KROC-AM News that Adamson is a Corporal in the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center. 

The charges say Adamson asked for the girl’s age and the detective responded in a manner that clearly identified herself as a 13-year-old girl. Adamson and the detective continued to communicate over the next several days and at one point Adamson offered to buy the fake teenager alcohol in exchange for sexual acts, according to the complaint. 

While messaging with the underaged officer, Adamson also communicated with the BCA agent who was posing as a 14-year-old girl. At one point sending her a photo of himself in what appeared to be an Olmsted County courtroom, the complaint says. 

Adamson asked both of the fake teenage girls if they wanted to meet in person, the charges say. The officer posing as the 13-year-old girl agreed to meet on Thursday evening. 

Rochester Police surveilled Adamson’s residence and followed him to the agreed upon meeting location. Once at the location, Adamson called out the young girl’s fake name and law enforcement moved in to arrest him, the complaint says. 

Adamson was arraigned Friday on felony charges of hiring an individual believed to be under the age of 14 for prostitution, electronically soliciting a person believed to be a child to engage in sexual conduct and engaging in electronic communication relating or describing sexual conduct with a child. 

Adamson’s conditional bail was set at $10,000. He’s due back in court later this month. 

The Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office says Adamson has been placed on Administrative Leave per policy. Sheriff's Captain Tim Parkin says, “The case is under investigation by the Minnesota BCA and the Rochester Police Department. As such, the Sheriff’s Office does not have any comment.”