Minneapolis man indicted by Hennepin County Grand Jury for first-degree criminal sexual conduct

A Minneapolis man was indicted by a Hennepin County Grand Jury for first-degree criminal sexual conduct, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced Friday.

The grand jury returned the indictment June 18 against Michael Landon, 47, on first-degree criminal sexual conduct, which occurred on January 20, 2020. The indictment includes reference to a previous first-degree criminal sexual conduct conviction from 2004. When the 2020 offense occurred, Landon was noncompliant with his predatory offender registration. A maximum penalty for this offense is life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years. Landon’s first scheduled appearance is June 19 at 1:30 p.m.

According to the criminal complaint, on January 20, 2020, Minneapolis police were dispatched to a Hennepin County hospital on the report of a rape. The female victim spoke with officers and told them she was near the light rail platform on Lake Street and Hiawatha Avenue with friends when Landon approached and started talking to her. Landon then invited the victim to come to his home in south Minneapolis.

The victim fell asleep at the residence, and awoke that morning to Landon sexually assaulting her. The victim attempted to push Landon away, but he instead punched her in the face and placed her in a chokehold, and proceeded to sexually assault the victim, the complaint continues.

When Landon finished, he told the victim to leave. The victim then left the house and walked over two miles from south Minneapolis to a downtown Minneapolis hospital to receive medical attention. The victim, who had a severely swollen eye, was treated by medical professionals for a broken eye socket, the complaint states. When asked to identify both Landon’s house and him personally from a variety of photos, the victim was able to do so.

Landon was arrested shortly after.

Michael Landon criminal complaint (PDF)