Federal Jury Finds Red Lake Man Guilty of Sexually Abusing Children

MINNEAPOLIS—Earlier today in federal court, a jury found a 60-year-old Red Lake man guilty of sexually abusing two female children. Following a four-day trial, the jury convicted Dean Earl Wilkens on four counts of aggravated sexual abuse of a child under the age of 12. Wilkens remains in custody pending sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled.

The evidence presented at trial proved that between December 12, 2008, and December 12, 2011, Wilkens, an Indian, engaged in sexual acts with two minor females while on the Red Lake Indian Reservation. On December 12, 2011, the Federal Bureau of Investigation was informed of one of the assaults after a victim disclosed the abuse to a school official.

For his crimes, Wilkens faces a potential maximum penalty of life in prison on each count. United States District Court Chief Judge Michael J. Davis will determine his sentence. This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Clifford B. Wardlaw.

Because the Red Lake Indian Reservation is a federal-jurisdiction reservation, some of the crimes that occur there are investigated by the FBI in conjunction with the Red Lake Tribal Police Department. Those cases are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.