Attorney General’s Office and Lake County Attorney’s Office secure conviction following sexual assault 

Hunter Earl Timo pleads guilty to second degree criminal sexual conduct

January 5, 2026 (SAINT PAUL) — Today, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office has secured the conviction of Hunter Earl Timo for second degree criminal sexual conduct. Timo pleaded guilty following a 2024 sexual assault in Lake County, Minnesota.

On June 26, 2024, Timo sexually assaulted the victim while she was asleep. At the plea hearing, Timo admitted that he entered a bedroom where the victim slept and engaged in sexual contact with the victim, knowing that she was physically helpless.

Attorney General Ellison’s office prosecuted Timo upon a referral from Lake County Attorney Lara Nygaard under Minnesota Statutes section 8.01, which provides, “Upon request of the county attorney, the attorney general shall appear in court in such criminal cases as the attorney general deems proper.” The authority vested in the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office is primarily civil.  Aside from referrals submitted under section 8.01 and Medicaid fraud, the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office does not have prosecuting authority over most criminal acts. That authority generally rests with city and county attorneys.

“Timo’s appalling criminal act violated basic human decency,” said Attorney General Ellison. “Today, he’s being held accountable for that. As long as I am attorney general, my office will fight to deliver justice for victims and protect vulnerable Minnesotans.”

Attorney General Ellison thanks the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, who assisted in the investigation and successful prosecution of this crime.