Staff member allegedly assaulted by client of Minnesota Sex Offender Program

A client of the Minnesota Sex Offender Program was arrested Monday after allegedly assaulting a staff member. The 29-year-old man faces pending charges for Second and Fourth Degree Assault.

According to officials at the Minnesota Sex Offender Program (MSOP) in Moose Lake, the staff member was seriously injured Monday afternoon during what facility representatives describe as an unprovoked attack by an MSOP client.

At 1:23 p.m. Monday, authorities received a call to the Moose Lake location. The injured 53-year-old man was airlifted for further care. His current condition is unknown.

According to Christopher Sprung, media relations representative for the facility, the staff member was performing rounds when the client approached him from behind and struck him in the head with a heavy object. After the staff member collapsed, the client continued beating and kicking him in the head as other staff members rushed to his aid, according to Sprung.

Carlton County sheriff’s deputies responded and arrested the client. DHS’s internal investigations unit is conducting its own review of the incident.

Counselors and other resources have been made available to staff involved in the incident and anyone who may need extra support.