Brownsdale Police Chief Charged With Sex Assault Fired
BROWNSDALE, Minn. (WCCO) -- The Brownsdale City Council has voted to fire the city's police chief after he was charged with two felony counts of criminal sexual conduct.
According to the criminal complaint, 42-year-old Jason Mindrup offered a woman a ride in his truck on Aug. 31 after talking with her at the Cheers Bar in Waltham, Minn.
According to the complaint, he drove about two miles before stopping the truck and undressing. The charges state he then pulled down her dress and began sexually assaulting her.
The woman said Mindrup's assault caused her intense pain. The ordeal lasted for 20 to 40 minutes, the complaint says.
Afterward, he dropped the woman off at the bar, where she contacted authorities.
Mindrup denied the allegations, and claimed he gave the woman a ride out of concern for her safety.
On Monday, the city council voted to remove Mindrup as police chief. He has been on paid leave September as the investigation continued.
"Mindrup's allegedly criminal conduct is said to have occurred off-duty and has no direct connection to his work for the City of Brownsdale. Nonetheless, the Council perceives that Mr. Mindrup's continued employment by the City is not tenable in light of these serious pending criminal charges," Brownsdale Mayor David Pike said in a press statement.
Mindrup is scheduled to appear in Mower County Court on Nov. 14.
