Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison announced on April 28 that Jacory Dante McCalpin was convicted on all 27 charges, including first-degree criminal sexual conduct and stalking, after a jury trial held the previous week. The conviction follows a series of sexual and physical assaults committed by McCalpin between July 2022 and December 2023.
The case is significant because it involved prolonged abuse over two and a half years, with the perpetrator regularly recording the assaults to blackmail the victim into further acts. The jury also found aggravating factors in 21 of the counts. Sentencing for McCalpin is scheduled for June 2.
The prosecution was handled by Attorney General Ellison’s office following a referral from Chippewa County Attorney Matthew Haugen under Minnesota Statutes section 8.01. This statute allows the Attorney General to appear in court for certain criminal cases upon request from county attorneys. Generally, prosecuting authority in Minnesota lies with city and county attorneys except in specific circumstances such as referrals under section 8.01 or Medicaid fraud cases.
“McCalpin committed horrific crimes over a long period of time,” Ellison said. “I am glad we could secure justice for the victim: my thoughts are with her and I hope this conviction is a meaningful step in her healing. I’m very grateful for the partnership of the Chippewa County Attorney and his office and the cooperation between us that led us to win this conviction.” Ellison also thanked both the Montevideo Police Department and Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for their assistance during investigation and prosecution.
This case highlights ongoing collaboration between state-level prosecutors, local authorities, law enforcement agencies, and underscores how statutory referrals enable broader support in serious criminal matters.
