180-day sentence for man who raped vulnerable Minneapolis teen

A 19-year-old man has been sentenced to 180 days in jail for raping a 14-year-old Minneapolis girl who is developmentally diminished.

Damarlo R. Crawford's victim had an IQ of 57 at the time of the assault, which occurred in September 2016 after he walked the girl home from school.

Judge Lisa Janzen's sentence in Hennepin County District Court last week gave Crawford, of Minneapolis, credit for 82 days in jail since his arrest. A prison term of four years was stayed.

Janzen also ordered Crawford, who pleaded guilty to third-degree criminal sexual conduct, to register as a predatory offender and enroll in a treatment program, provide a DNA sample to authorities and have no contact with minors other than his siblings. He also must stay away from alcohol, illicit drugs and firearms during his five years of probation.

Court records indicate that the sentence falls within state guidelines. The maximum term for a conviction on this count is 15 years.

In a statement, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman called the sentence "a negotiated resolution to the case, agreed upon by the family."

"It includes incarceration time, another 48 months in prison hanging over him if he fails during his five years of probation, registration as a predatory offender and sex offender treatment," Freeman said. "While the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines call for a prison sentence, given the circumstances of the case and the desires of the family, this is the best resolution."

According to the criminal complaint:

The girl and her mother told police that Crawford, who had done a few chores for the family in the past, met the teen after school and walked her home. He offered to wash the family's car and asked the girl whether she had ever been kissed.

Crawford then fondled her, stripped her below the waist and raped her.

Analysis of DNA evidence collected from the teen concluded that Crawford was the perpetrator.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482