Minneapolis man indicted by Hennepin County grand jury for first-degree criminal sexual conduct

Friday, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced the indictment of a Minneapolis man for first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

The grand jury returned the indictment Thursday against Michael Landon, 47, on first-degree criminal sexual conduct, which occurred on Jan. 20 of this year. The first indictment includes reference to a previous first-degree criminal sexual conduct conviction from 2004.

The attorney's office says when the 2020 offense occurred, Landon was noncompliant with his predatory offender registration. A maximum penalty for this offense, if convicted, is life in prison with the possibility of parole after 30 years. 

Landon's first court appearance was scheduled for Friday afternoon.

According to the criminal complaint, on Jan. 20, Minneapolis police were sent 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 complaint goes on to say 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 allegedly punched her in the face and placed her in a chokehold, continuing to sexually assault the victim.

Landon told the victim to leave when he finished. 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.