Former Minnesota trooper pleads guilty
Jeremy Plonski, a former Minnesota state trooper and National Guard member, pleaded guilty in federal court to producing and distributing child pornography after investigators say he made and shared video(s) showing sexual abuse of an infant. The federal plea was filed this week; separate Scott County charges for first‑degree criminal sexual conduct related to the same alleged video remain pending. Authorities including the FBI and state law‑enforcement leaders have described the allegations as horrifying and say the case remains under active review ahead of sentencing and state proceedings.
Public Safety
Courts/Legal
📌 Key Facts
- Jeremy Plonski pleaded guilty to one count of producing child pornography and one count of distributing child pornography (two other federal counts will be dismissed at sentencing).
- Scott County has charged Plonski with first‑degree criminal sexual conduct alleging a video showed sexual abuse of an infant; investigators say he shared videos on the social app Kik in 2022.
- Named agencies involved include the FBI, Minnesota Department of Public Safety, and the BCA; BCA Superintendent Drew Evans issued a statement calling the alleged crimes 'horrifying.'
📚 Contextual Background
- Minnesota law classifies investigative data collected or created by a law enforcement agency to prepare a case as confidential or protected nonpublic while the investigation is active.
- An internal investigation by the City of Golden Valley concluded that Police Chief Virgil Green released unredacted body‑worn camera footage related to an active criminal investigation to a local news organization without the consent of the parties involved, in violation of Minnesota law.