Former youth wrestling coach not guilty of sexual assault charge in Eden Prairie

A Hennepin County jury has acquitted a youth wrestling coach of criminal sexual conduct after he was charged with sexually assaulting a young girl he coached.

Mustafa Shabazz, 45, was charged with second-degree criminal sexual conduct in April 2020 . The jury reached its verdict Monday afternoon after several hours of deliberations.

Shabazz still faces the same charge in Scott County involving another teenage girl. A jury trial is slated to begin next month. 

Records show police in Shakopee and Eden Prairie began investigating Shabazz in February 2020, after learning of allegations of inappropriate conduct from two female athletes he coached.

When reached for comment, Shabazz attorney Ryan Else said his client won’t comment until after the outstanding case is resolved.

“Mr. Shabazz is quite interested in giving his side of the story, but we are continuing to advise him to avoid public statements until all the cases are complete,” Else said in an email.