A Minnesota school employee allegedly admitted to engaging in sexual activity with a Fridley high school student, including inside classrooms where he was supposed to be helping children with behavioral challenges.
But despite his alleged admissions, corroborating evidence and a lengthy criminal investigation, prosecutors say they cannot charge him with a crime.
The reason? A loophole in Minnesota law that prosecutors say left the teenage girl without legal protection.
According to documents obtained by Alpha News, the Anoka County Attorney’s Office determined that Rayzjon Shawntell Walker, a paraprofessional at Fridley Vista High School, could not be prosecuted for criminal sexual conduct involving the student because he was not a licensed teacher and was not enough years older than the girl to meet another statutory requirement.
In an Oct. 16 memorandum, Assistant Criminal Division Chief Brenda Sund wrote:
“It is alarming to discover that this child is unprotected by the current law in Minnesota from acts that in our office’s view should clearly be criminal. Walker was responsible for helping Child A navigate her daily challenges at school. Instead, he took advantage of his hired role to prey on a teenage girl.”
Sexual encounters allegedly occurred inside classrooms
The investigation began after the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office received a criminal sexual conduct complaint Dec. 24, 2025.
Walker worked as a paraprofessional at Fridley Vista High School, an alternative learning school serving students with individualized education programs and behavioral support needs.
The student, identified as “Child A,” told investigators Walker began making sexually explicit comments shortly after she turned 17 in February 2025. He allegedly sent her nude photographs and videos through Snapchat before initiating sexual activity.
According to the prosecutor’s memorandum, the student described approximately 20 incidents of performing oral sex on Walker, mostly inside school classrooms, including behind a bookshelf.
She also alleged Walker touched her sexually under a table while other students were present.
The girl told investigators Walker became upset when she refused his requests for oral sex. On one occasion, she said, he ignored her for a week after she declined to participate in sexual activity.
She said she felt pressured to comply.
The student allegedly described sexual encounters inside Walker’s Dodge Durango, including one in April 2025 when she alleged he gave her marijuana before sexual activity occurred. Investigators confirmed Walker owned a white 2018 Dodge Durango matching her description.
Employee allegedly admits sexual activity but disputes frequency
During a voluntary interview with investigators on July 1, 2026, Walker allegedly admitted to sending the student explicit photographs and acknowledged sexual activity.
However, he reportedly disputed the number of encounters. While the student described approximately 20 incidents of oral sex, Walker claimed there were closer to “two or three,” occurring in an unused classroom, according to the memorandum.
He initially denied sexual activity inside his vehicle but later admitted the student performed oral sex on him before they had sexual intercourse inside his Dodge Durango, the memorandum says.
Walker allegedly claimed the sexual activity lasted approximately one month before he decided it was inappropriate. He also admitted to telling the student to keep their relationship secret because he did not want to lose his job, according to prosecutors.
Despite those alleged admissions, prosecutors concluded Minnesota law prevented criminal charges under the circumstances.
Minnesota law leaves a gap
The charging problem centers on two provisions of Minnesota’s criminal sexual conduct statutes.
Under one statute, licensed educators are prohibited from engaging in sexual activity with students at their schools.
“Unfortunately, an unlicensed paraprofessional is not listed as a prohibited occupation. Therefore, even though Walker was employed to assist with students in the school, he is not prohibited as a matter of law from engaging in sexual activity with a seventeen-year-old student under this subdivision,” Sund wrote.
Prosecutors also examined another statute that addresses criminal sexual conduct involving a 16- or 17-year-old by someone in a position of authority.
Although Walker was in a position of authority over the student, that provision requires the offender to be more than 36 months older than the minor.
Walker was only two years and seven months older.
In other words, prosecutors determined that Walker’s conduct fell outside both provisions because of his job classification and age.
“The decision not to prosecute should not be construed in any way as condoning the Potential Defendant’s actions. Rather, your investigation has revealed a blind spot in the law that requires legislative action,” wrote Sund.
Prosecutors urge state to keep Walker away from children
In a July 22 letter to an Anoka County Sheriff’s Office investigator, Sund made clear that the decision not to prosecute did not excuse Walker’s alleged actions.
“Unfortunately, the State is unable to issue a criminal complaint in this matter because the available law does not protect the alleged victim in this case,” Sund wrote.
Prosecutors also examined whether other criminal charges could apply, including solicitation of a child, neglect, endangerment and offenses involving sexual images. They concluded the available evidence did not meet the legal requirements for those offenses.
The county attorney’s office strongly recommended that Walker be prohibited from working with children and urged the Minnesota Department of Education to take action to permanently remove him from school employment.
Prosecutors said they intended to consult with the Zero Abuse Project and other stakeholders to address the gaps in Minnesota law.
Alpha News reached out to Fridley Public Schools, Superintendent Brenda Lewis, the Anoka County Attorney’s Office and the Minnesota Department of Education for comment.
Fridley Public Schools responds, employee remains on leave
Fridley Public Schools confirmed to Alpha News that the paraprofessional was placed on administrative leave immediately after the district learned of the allegations and remains on leave.
“The safety and well-being of our students is our highest priority,” the district said in a statement. “When Fridley Public Schools became aware of these allegations, we immediately placed the employee on administrative leave, where they remain.”
The district said it suspended its internal investigation at the direction of the Anoka County Attorney’s Office while prosecutors conducted their review. Now that the county attorney’s review is complete, district officials say they are working to obtain the relevant documentation and will resume their own investigation.
“The County Attorney’s charging decision is separate from the district’s responsibility to determine whether our policies and professional standards were followed, and we will complete that process thoroughly,” the district said.
The district declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing personnel matter and state and federal laws protecting student information.
Jenna Gloeb
Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.
