The Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) reports that five men have been charged in connection to the sexual exploitation of a teen runaway in June.
The following individuals have been arrested in connection with the investigation and charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct:
• Kyle Scott Schneider, 37, Andover, Minn.
• Mitchell David Wetzel, 28, White Bear Lake, Minn.
• Keaton Fisher Moen, 29, St Louis Park, Minn. (also lists an address in Eden Prairie)
• Sona Wandimu Wakuma, 26, New Brighton, Minn. (additionally charged with first-degree CSC)
• Jesse Jalon Suiter, 20, Zimmerman, Minn.
The 14-year-old juvenile went missing on June 13, 2026, which kicked off a human trafficking investigation into the missing girl. Two days later, detectives with the Washington County Sheriff’s Office located the girl in Minneapolis.
WCSO said the suspects are not connected to one another and allegedly communicated with and engaged in criminal sexual conduct with the juvenile after meeting her through online platforms. Investigators identified the men through victim interviews, digital forensic examinations, search warrants, social media records, and extensive investigative work.
The complaint against Sona Wandimu Wakuma states that he was a driver at a treatment facility where the teen met him while she was being treated in April. Wakuma was responsible for driving the teen to and from the treatment center. The teen later told police that Wakuma had engaged in sexual activity with her multiple times and she agreed to go along with it because she had no other ride home.
One of the criminal complaints implicated several other men as having also engaged in sexual activity with the teen, and law enforcement indicated the investigation is ongoing.
“Every child deserves to be safe from those who would try to take advantage of them. Our detectives worked tirelessly to find the truth, protect the victim, and hold those responsible accountable. This case is a reminder to parents and caregivers to stay involved, talk with your kids, and know what’s happening in their online world,” said Sheriff Dan Starry.
WCSO urged parents to monitor their children’s social media activity, the people they are communicating with, and teach children never to meet someone they have only met online without a trusted adult present.
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Crime Watch MN
Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
