Minnesota state trooper charged with sexually assaulting 2 women at party

Two months before Minnesota state trooper Todd A. Lindstrom was charged this week with sexually assaulting two women outside his home in Hibbing, Minn., he was among a group being honored for rescuing several people from a fiery and near-fatal car accident.

The alleged assaults happened after the two women and some friends watched Lindstrom, 44, drive at the Hibbing Raceway on July 25. He invited all of them to a party at his house, and tents were set up in case people wanted to sleep over.

Witnesses told police that Lindstrom became intoxicated during the party. Around 2 a.m., one of the women was attacked twice as she walked to her car, according to the charges filed Wednesday. A half-hour later, he went into another woman's tent and tried to force himself upon her, the charges say. He appeared to stop when he heard his wife calling him to the house.

Lindstrom, who has been with the State Patrol since 2000, has been placed on paid administrative leave. Documents supplied by the state Department of Public Safety show that he has no disciplinary history.

"The charges are disturbing and very serious," said Col. Matt Langer, chief of the Minnesota State Patrol. "The alleged actions of this trooper are not consistent with the core values of the State Patrol."

Lindstrom was charged with felony fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct by force and gross misdemeanor fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving nonconsensual contact. His first appearance in St. Louis County District Court will be Aug. 31. He couldn't be reached for comment Friday.

The incidents were reported by the first alleged victim to the St. Louis County Sheriff's Department the day after the party. The woman, 28, said that she saw Lindstrom before the races and that it was the first time she had met him. There were about 15 people at the party, which featured food and a bonfire.

She slapped at him and he walked away. But 10 minutes later, he returned to the car and tried to grab her body through the window, the charges said. He left and she drove home.

When asked by investigators why she waited a day to report the incident, she said she knew that Lindstrom was in law enforcement and that she was afraid for her safety. She also informed police about her friend, a 24-year-old woman who told her Lindstrom tried to sexually assault her in a tent during the party.

The 24-year-old told police that he kissed her, rubbed her body and tried to forcefully take off her clothes, the charges said. When she told him that he needed to go find his wife, he said he had "expected more from her," she said.

The women's stories were verified by two other people from the party.

Lindstrom was notified by summons about the charges, which means he will remain out of jail until his first court appearance, when the possibility of bail will be discussed.

In April 2013, the State Patrol honored him with a Life-Saving Award, and he has a memo of appreciation in his personnel file.

The St. Louis County Board gave Lindstrom its 911 Lifesaver Award in May for his role in an August 2014 multivehicle accident. One car was upside down in a ditch and a truck had tipped on its side. A couple on a motorcycle saw the wreck and spotted a little girl crawling out of the car.

They called 911 and attempted to get another person out of the car, which exploded and started a grass fire. Soon Lindstrom and first responders arrived, rescuing all of the people and extinguishing the fires. Everybody involved, including the citizens, received a Lifesaver Award.