An 8-year-old boy reported being sexually assaulted multiple times by an older male relative.

The victim disclosed that the assaults occurred at a relative’s home, where he was touched inappropriately over his clothing.

Da’Shawn Latrell Adams, 30, of Saint Paul, faces a charge of 2nd-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a victim under the age of 16. The complaint states that the victim reported the abuse began when he was 5 or 6 years old and continued for several years. The victim described instances where Adams grabbed him and squeezed, and he noted that Adams would threaten him if he told anyone about the abuse.

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The victim also reported that Adams showed him explicit videos, which frightened him. This disclosure came after two other young girls had previously reported similar abuse by Adams in July 2025. The victim was receiving therapy at the Midwest Children’s Resource Center, where he revealed the details of the abuse to a nurse practitioner.

Adams is currently in custody. He also faces charges in two other Ramsey County cases: 1st-degree criminal sexual conduct (62-CR-25-7733) and domestic assault by strangulation (62-CR-25-4197). A court date has not yet been set. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of up to 25 years in prison for the 2nd-degree criminal sexual conduct charge.

About This Charge

Minnesota’s criminal sexual conduct statutes are organized by degree under § 609.342 (first), § 609.343 (second), § 609.344 (third) and § 609.345 (fourth). First-degree convictions carry up to 30 years in prison; the lower degrees carry penalties up to 25, 15 and 10 years respectively. Cases involving minors trigger additional mandatory-minimum provisions and predatory-offender registration under § 243.166.

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Jurisdictional Context

Ramsey County encompasses Saint Paul and is served by the Ramsey County Attorney’s Office. Felony cases are heard in the Second Judicial District at the Ramsey County Courthouse in downtown Saint Paul; the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office operates the Ramsey County Correctional Facility in Maplewood.