MINNEAPOLIS – A federal felony criticism has been filed in opposition to an Owatonna intercourse offender for sending graphic threats detailing a homicide plot in opposition to his former youngster sexual abuse sufferer, introduced Appearing United States Legal professional Charles J. Kovats.
In keeping with courtroom paperwork, in March 2021, the Higher Allen Township Police Division in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, started investigating Michael Lee Kurkowski, 26, concerning the communication and trade of sexually express pictures of a minor. The investigation revealed that Kurkowski possessed sexually express pictures and movies of a minor and was conscious that his sufferer was, on the time, a minor below the age of 18. Kurkowski additionally admitted to touring to Pennsylvania to find the minor and to attempt to proceed a “relationship” after the minor tried to finish the web communications with Kurkowski. On April 14, 2021, Kurkowski was charged in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, of a number of felonies associated to the sexual exploitation of the minor and was sentenced to 142 days in jail adopted by probation. Kurkowski’s probation circumstances included, amongst different issues, the requirement to register as a intercourse offender, refraining from conduct which can current a hazard to others, and never possessing weapons.
In keeping with courtroom paperwork, in December 2021, legislation enforcement started investigating Kurkowski’s on-line communications and sexual exploitation of a minor in East Peoria, Illinois. In January 2022, investigators with the East Peoria Police Division (EPPD) reviewed a number of messages from Kurkowski to the minor describing in graphic element a plan to journey to Pennsylvania the place Kurkowski would homicide the dad and mom of his former sufferer, rape his sister, after which kill her in entrance of his former sufferer. EPPD additionally notified the Cedar Falls Police Division after the investigation revealed that Kurkowski was additionally participating within the sexual exploitation of a second minor in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
In keeping with courtroom paperwork, on February 4, 2022, investigators with the Owatonna Police Division realized that Kurkowski had bought a Greyhound bus ticket and was presently en path to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the final location of Kurkowski’s former sufferer and his household. FBI investigators developed data on Kurkowski’s whereabouts and have been capable of monitor him to a bus cease in Toledo, Ohio, the place authorities took Kurkowski into custody. In keeping with courtroom paperwork, when he was arrested, Kurkowski had with him a bag containing amongst different issues 16 heavy flex cuffs, electrical tape, a taser, a big knife, rubber gloves, and hooded facemasks.
Kurkowski has been charged by criticism within the District of Minnesota with one depend of threatening interstate communication. Kurkowski made his preliminary look yesterday earlier than Justice of the Peace Choose Darrell A. Clay within the Northern District of Ohio, who ordered that Kurkowski be detained briefly and eliminated to Minnesota, the place he’ll make his preliminary look and have a detention and preliminary listening to at a later date.
This case is the results of an investigation carried out by the FBI, the Owatonna Police Division, the Higher Allen Township (Pennsylvania) Police Division, the East Peoria (Illinois) Police Division, and the Cedar Falls (Iowa) Police Division.
Assistant U.S. Legal professional Laura M. Provinzino is prosecuting the case.
A felony criticism is merely an allegation and the defendant is presumed harmless till confirmed responsible past an inexpensive doubt in a courtroom of legislation.