Former Anoka County Work-Release Officer Pleads Guilty for Inmate Sexual Contact

Aug 17

A former Anoka County work-release officer has pleaded guilty to engaging in sexual contact with an inmate while working at the Anoka County Workhouse.

Court records show that Kendra Faye Dunblazier, 30, admitted Tuesday to one count of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a prohibited occupational relationship for incidents that occurred between July and Oct. 2024.

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According to the criminal complaint, Dunblazier began working at the workhouse on July 1, 2024, and was assigned to the night shift. One of the inmates was serving time but had work release privileges. Investigators say Dunblazier’s husband contacted the jail administrator on Oct. 10, 2024, after discovering text messages between the two that appeared to reference an ongoing sexual relationship. The administrator placed Dunblazier on leave, but she resigned immediately.

Sherburne County investigators reviewed evidence including screenshots of text messages containing explicit photos and sexual conversation, as well as messages arranging meetups while the inmate was on work release. Many of the exchanges also referred to how many days he had left on his sentence, which in Oct. 2024 exceeded 100 days. Jail phone records showed 283 calls between Dunblazier and the man, many with sexual content and references to him spending time with her children. In one call, she said she believed she was pregnant with his child, but the pregnancy was not successful.

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Search warrants uncovered a handwritten note from Dunblazier in the inmate’s vehicle, expressing love and using his last name as her own, along with Viagra pills. During an interview on Oct. 28, 2024, Dunblazier admitted to having sexual intercourse with the man at parking garages in Anoka County while he was on work release, though she claimed no sexual contact occurred during her shifts. She also acknowledged sending nude photos and engaging in explicit discussions.

Under her plea agreement, Dunblazier will receive a stayed 24-month prison sentence for three years, be required to register as a predatory offender for 10 years, and complete a psychosexual evaluation along with any recommended treatment. A charge of third-degree criminal sexual conduct will be dismissed at sentencing.

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