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Man Pleads Guilty To Abusing Foster Boys

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(credit: Jupiter Images)

(credit: Jupiter Images)

ST. PAUL, Minn. (WCCO) — A 34-year-old Coon Rapids man pleaded guilty Monday to two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in Ramsey County District Court.

Joseph Leonard Larson had been accused of sexually abusing two boys that were his foster children when he lived in St. Paul, according to a criminal complaint.

The criminal complaints state that one victim who is now 17 told authorities that Larson sexually abused him more than once when he was a foster child from Aug. 27, 2003 to Jan. 1, 2006. A second victim who is now 23 told authorities that Larson abused him in 2003 when he lived at Larson’s home.

In entering the pleas, Larson didn’t acknowledge the abuse but admitted there is enough evidence for a jury to find him guilty. Larson faces up to 12 years or more in jail and will be sentenced June 28.

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  • michellefrommadison

    Another case that shows that a guilty plea does not mean he is necessarily guilty of the crime charged, it only signifies a plea taken to be a better option provided to the defendant at the present time with no assurance of any guilt proven.

    • fred

      if he was completely innocent,or even somewhat innocent, he would plea innocent. only criminals plea bargain.

      • michellefrommadison

        I realize it must be difficulty not even understanding even basic Law fred, but no one can plead innocent anywhere within any of the 50 states here in America. Perhaps in your country, but not in the U.S.A.

  • Purrmaid

    Whatever the plea deal, the bottom line is these two young men deserve applause for their courage in binging that horrid predator to justice. Blessings to them both.

    • michellefrommadison

      These two men did not bring anyone to Justice, it was the prosecutors that made the charges, not the two men.

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