Updated: St. John trial underway

A jury trial is underway at the Carlton County Courthouse for a Scanlon man accused of criminal sexual conduct “with heinous elements” and kidnapping.

Dennis Michael St. John Jr., 55, was arrested in July 2020, after being accused of holding a woman against her will and raping her repeatedly, forcing drugs on her and threatening to kill her. He has been in custody since his arrest with bail set at $1 million with no cash option.

According to the criminal complaint, the alleged victim ran into St. John at the Black Bear Casino Resort on July 17 and they left about 11 p.m. to go to his home. She told police she had been in a previous sexual relationship with him. Once inside his Scanlon home, the woman told police that St. John said “paybacks are a bitch” and proceeded to strike her, cutting off her tank top and undergarments. The woman told police that St. John had a knife and large flashlight “bat” and threatened to kill her. St. John allegedly sexually assaulted her multiple times that night and again throughout the day Saturday and into Sunday morning. She also alleged that he forced her to smoke meth.

The woman escaped, she said, when St. John went to walk his dog Sunday, driving off in her vehicle. St. John allegedly told her he would find her and kill her and family members if she escaped.

In October 2020, a grand jury indicted St. John with three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct “with heinous elements,” kidnapping, threats of violence and second degree assault. If convicted, the first three charges all carry a life sentence in prison without the possibility of release. He is also charged with kidnapping, threats of violence and second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon.

St. John’s trial was originally set for September 2021, but was rescheduled for Jan. 4 before Sixth District Judge Rebekka Stumme. Jury selection took place last week with opening statements on Friday, Jan. 7. Testimony continued this week, with closing arguments expected Thursday or Friday.

UPDATE: Almost seven hours after closing arguments wrapped up Thursday around 5 p.m., the jury returned with its unanimous verdicts: guilty on all but one count of kidnapping, and guilty on all three heinous elements, which means life in prison with no possibility of parole. Read more in next week's Pine Knot News.