Former police officer sentenced to 57 months in prison for sexual assault

Former police officer David Campbell was sentenced to 57 months in prison for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced Tuesday.

Campbell, 60, was sentenced to 57 months in prison, the maximum under Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines. In October, Campbell requested a stipulated evidence trial, where both sides submitted evidence and their legal arguments to Hennepin County District Court Judge Tamara Garcia. She found Campbell guilty on three counts of criminal sexual conduct in the third-degree, two counts of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of terroristic threats and one count of stalking.

Beginning in February 2017, Campbell bought the victim underwear and bras at Victoria’s Secret and told her to use his phone to take pictures of herself wearing them. He later began sexually assaulting the girl, including when he was on duty and she was in the squad car with him. During one of those ride-alongs, Campbell told her that if she reported what was happening or did anything that would result in his children being taken from him, he would have to shoot her in the head.

In court Monday afternoon, Campbell declined to say anything. An advocate from the Hennepin County Attorney’s office read an impact statement from the victim, who had been living with Campbell’s family in hotels in Bloomington, Roseville and Minneapolis: “I slipped into a dark place after I reported the situation… I thought about ending my life multiple times… I did think about leaving the case because I didn’t want to have to deal with it… but I realized David wouldn’t be held accountable for his actions. This could happen to other young females out there. I’m glad I found the strength in me to keep fighting this battle.”