Duluth Man Sentenced to 30 Years for Taking a 13-Year-Old Girl Across State Lines to Commit Sexual Abuse

MINNEAPOLIS—Earlier today in federal court in Duluth, a 42-year-old Duluth man was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for taking a 13-year-old girl across state lines with the intent to sexually abuse her. United States District Court Judge Donovan W. Frank sentenced Todd Richard Franik, who was indicted on October 5, 2010, and pleaded guilty on November 5, 2010, to one count of interstate transportation of a minor with intent to engage in criminal sexual activity. In imposing the 30-year prison term, Judge Frank said a sentence of anything less would be insufficient to promote respect for the law and protect the public.

Following today’s sentencing, Donald E. Oswald, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Minneapolis Field Office, said, “Children are one of our community’s most precious assets. Child predators like Mr. Franik can always be assured that the FBI will give them its fullest attention to ensure that they are brought to justice.”

According to the documents filed in this case, Franik abducted the girl in Duluth at about 3:00 p.m. on August 2, 2010. The girl was walking her dog. She passed a parked car, its hood up. The man standing near the vehicle, later identified as Franik, asked the girl for directions to the zoo. As she drew closer, the man grabbed both her and the dog and forced them into the trunk. He then drove the car around for 15 to 20 minutes, crossing into Wisconsin and back into Minnesota, before stopping in a wooded area.

While in the woods, Franik removed the child and the dog from the trunk. He then engaged in sexual conduct with the child. Afterwards, he used duct tape to wrap the child’s hands and feet and secure her to a fallen tree. He also tore his shirt, stuffed the cloth into her mouth, and covered her mouth with more duct tape. He reportedly taped the dog’s mouth shut too. After Franik drove away from the scene, the child twisted and chewed through the duct tape and made her way to a business in Superior, Wisconsin, from where authorities were called.

While law enforcement officers worked to recover evidence from the woods, which ultimately included scraps of duct tape and fresh shoe prints, they observed a car repeatedly drive past them on a nearby highway. The car matched the description of the vehicle used in the crime, so authorities traced its license plate number. Later, they located the car in a Duluth parking lot and placed it under surveillance.

During the early afternoon of August 3, 2010, authorities observed Franik approach the vehicle and open up the trunk. Officers moved in, spotting duct tape and other evidence of the crime. A subsequent search of Franik’s residence yielded shoes with a tread pattern that matched the shoe prints found in the woods. Franik was subsequently arrested without incident.

This case was the result of an investigation by the Duluth Police Department, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office in Wisconsin, and the FBI. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David P. Steinkamp.

Duluth Armed Career Criminal Indicted for Possessing Firearms, Ammunition, and Narcotics

A federal indictment unsealed earlier today in the District of Minnesota charges a 31–yearold Duluth man with possessing firearms and ammunition as well as possessing with intent to distribute methamphetamine and narcotics. Jeremiah Robert Hedberg was indicted on one count of felon in possesion of a firearm, one count of felon in possession of ammunition, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and one count of possession with intent to distribute Opana, a powerful pain killer. The indictment, which was filed on March 8, 2011, was unsealed following Hedberg’s initial appearance in federal court.

The indictment alleges that on December 21, 2010, Hedberg, also known as Jeremiah Curry, possessed a .40 caliber, semi–automatic pistol and a .38 caliber, semi–automatic pistol. In addition, Hedberg possessed 122 rounds of .380 caliber ammunition and eight rounds of .40 caliber ammunition. The indictment also alleges that on December 20, 2010, Hedberg possessed with intent to distribute both methamphetamine and Opana tablets, which contain the narcotic oxymorphone. The weapons, ammunition, and controlled substances were seized during the execution of a state search warrant at Hedberg’s residence and a second residence.

Because he is a felon, Hedberg is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time. Hedberg’s previous felony convictions include three in St. Louis County in 2003 (two for second–degree assault and one for being a felon in possession of a firearm), along with a second degree assault conviction in Sherburne County in 1997. Since those offenses were crimes of violence, Hedberg is now subject to the federal armed career criminal statute, which mandates a 15–year minimum prison sentence if convicted of the firearm–possession charge now pending against him. He faces a potential maximum penalty of life. All sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Lake Superior Drug and Gang Task Force, the Duluth Police Department, and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen A. Slaughter.

Note, the case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, an initiative launched by the U.S. Justice Department in 2001 to promote a multi–jurisdictional, comprehensive approach to reducing gun crime in America. PSN provides resources to strengthen law enforcement and crime prevention partnerships that are working to make our streets and communities safer.