Man Pleads Guilty to Rape, Attempted Murder in Red Roof Inn Hostage Standoff

This post was written by Kris Janisch, editor of Woodbury Patch:

Demetrius Santrell Ballinger, who was charged with rape and attempted murder following an August 2012 hostage standoff at the Red Roof Inn in Woodbury, has pleaded guilty to five felony counts, according to multiple reports.

He will spend at least 24 years in prison, according to the Star Tribune.

Ballinger, 26, of Stillwater, was initially charged with 27 felonies stemming from the Aug. 31 hostage standoff at the motel.

He raped four teenage girls at gunpoint in a motel room and,according to a Pioneer Press report, Ballinger in court Thursday admitted that he shot at a man who tried to escape and was shot and killed by police during the incident. The officers involved were later cleared.

As part of a plea deal, the other 22 counts against him will be dismissed.

“Everybody feels this agreement was fair and just,” public defender Ahren Johnson told the Pioneer Press.

A Washington County team eventually got Ballinger to release the hostages after a four-hour standoff, and Woodbury Det. Chris Rheault was later honored for his efforts.

Ballinger said he took drugs before the party at the Red Roof Inn but was aware of what he was doing, according to the Pioneer Press.

The incident let to public outcry in Woodbury regarding criminal activity at the motel, and police have since been working with Red Roof Inn management.

Previous Coverage

Man Killed in Shootout with Woodbury Police During Hostage Standoff at Red Roof Inn

Woodbury Red Roof Inn Shooting Detailed, Suspect, Deceased Identified

Suspect in Woodbury Red Roof Inn Hostage Case Faces Attempted Murder, Rape Charges

Petition for Red Roof Inn

Woodbury Resident on Red Roof Inn: ‘Clean it Up or Close it Down’

Woodbury Officials to Work with Red Roof Inn Management

Shut Down Woodbury’s Red Roof Inn? It’s Not That Simple

Jury Decides Not to Indict Woodbury Officers Involved in Red Roof Inn Shooting

Red Roof Inn Hostage Standoff Suspect to Plead

Woodbury Detective Named Hostage Negotiator of the Year

A Matter of Trust: The Psychology Behind Hostage Negotiation