GRANITE FALLS -- The former mayor of Clarkfield was sentenced Thursday to a total of 275 days in jail and six years of probation on two charges he molested two juvenile boys from 1997 to 2003. Jail time totaling 455 days was stayed.
Jeffrey Kyle Randall, 36, of Clarkfield, in a plea agreement, entered an Alford plea last month to two counts of fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct, both gross misdemeanors. In an Alford plea, the person admits there is enough evidence to convict them but does not admit guilt.
According to the criminal complaint, Randall molested two juvenile males during a six-year period, beginning in the summer of 1997 and continuing through the fall of 2003.
The complaint alleges multiple incidents, including masturbation, anal and oral sex.
The alleged abuse began when the two boys were 10 and 12 years old.
ADVERTISEMENT
In October 2003, Randall denied "any kind of sexual conduct" in interviews with deputies. He was charged in April 2004.
Randall had originally faced seven felony counts of criminal sexual conduct, which included second-, third- and fourth-degree charges.
The presumptive sentence for second-degree criminal sexual conduct -- the most serious of the original charges -- is 48 months in prison for someone without a criminal history.
The charges to which Randall pleaded are gross misdemeanors punishable by up to a year in jail and/or a fine of up to $3,000.
Thursday, Judge Randall Slieter ordered that Randall serve the two sentences consecutively, meaning they are served one after the other. On the first count, Randall was sentenced to 365 days in jail, 90 days of which were stayed, three years of probation and 150 hours of community work service. On the second count, the judge sentenced Randall to three years of probation and 150 hours of community work service but stayed a 365-day jail sentence.
Randall will also have to undergo a sex offender evaluation and sex offender treatment, must register as a sex offender and must submit a DNA sample to the state.
Assistant Yellow Medicine County Attorney Keith Helgeson said his office and the alleged victims are pleased with the sentence.
"We're pleased he'll be serving jail time for the offense," he said. "We wanted him to be held accountable, and he is being held accountable. In addition, he'll have to get treatment. We hope this will prevent any future instances."
ADVERTISEMENT
Randall's attorney, Greg Holmstrom, said he was disappointed with the jail time handed down by the judge.
"Mr. Randall was disappointed in the sense of the judge giving him the jail sentence he did, given the level of charge to which the plea of guilty was entered," he said. "(Randall) was disappointed, highly disappointed with the amount of time the judge ordered."
Helgeson said that one of the victims read a statement at the sentencing about how the incident has affected his life.
The two victims also met with Randall privately in chambers at the sentencing for an "apology-slash-conversation," Helgeson said.
Randall did not speak at the sentencing. Holmstrom said Randall still maintains his innocence.
Holmstrom said he thought the 300 total hours of community service fit Randall well.
"That's not a problem given the fact that the individual has been so active in the community," he said.
Randall was mayor of Clarkfield from 1998 to fall 2004. In 2002, Randall ran as a Republican candidate for state representative in the primary for House District 20B.
ADVERTISEMENT
In 2001, he helped to head a protest of an elementary school closure in Clarkfield.
