MN Officer Gets 120 Days In Jail For Criminal Sexual Conduct

DAKOTA COUNTY, MN — A former Minnesota corrections officer was sentenced Wednesday to 120 days in jail after he was convicted of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. Randy A. Beehler, 54, of Foley, coerced a female prisoner he was transporting into having sex with him, according to authorities.

Beehler was also placed on probation for seven years and must participate in sex offender treatment and register as a predatory offender.

Wednesday's sentence comes after Beehler's guilty plea on March 24.

"I am pleased Mr. Beehler is being held accountable for his actions," Dakota County Attorney Kathy Keena said in a news release.

"As an employee of the Minnesota Department of Corrections, Mr. Beehler was entrusted with the Victim’s care and protection while transporting her to the Hennepin County Jail. He violated his position of authority by engaging in sexual acts with a woman who was in a very vulnerable situation."

At the time of the crime, Beehler was assigned by the Minnesota Department of Corrections to transport inmates, police said.

The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office said a woman told staff at the Hennepin County Jail on Sept. 30 that she had been sexually assaulted by the person who transported her from the Olmsted County Jail. According to the woman, Beehler told her he was going to stop for food. When the woman said she would "do anything" for some food, Beehler asked if that included coming up to the front seat and "fooling around," she told authorities.

According to the charges, Beehler asked the woman if she would tell anyone, and she said no. Beehler also told the woman she could get in a lot of trouble if she told anyone, she told police.

Beehler stopped the vehicle at a McDonald's drive-thru in Cannon Falls and ordered meals for them both, police said. After leaving the restaurant, Beehler parked the vehicle by an abandoned business, uncuffed the victim, and brought her up to the front seat, according to the criminal complaint.

Later, Beehler started back on the road. While traveling through Dakota County, the woman performed sexual acts on him, police said.

When questioned by an investigator, Beehler initially denied any inappropriate contact but eventually admitted that he had bought the woman food at McDonald's in Cannon Falls and allowed her to sit in the front seat of the vehicle while there, according to authorities.

He also admitted the victim performed sexual acts on him, police said.