Tim Scannell
A St. Louis County jury found Tim Scannell guilty of two felony counts of 4th degree criminal sexual conduct on July 25, 2014. On Friday, September 26, Judge Shaun Floerke announced sentencing on the former Cook County Attorney. Scannell was sentenced to 30 days in jail, 300 hours of community service and 10 years of probation.
He began his incarceration on Tuesday, September 30. Because of overcrowding in St. Louis County, Scannell is housed at Mille Lacs County Jail. Jail Administrator/Captain Mike Smith confirmed that Scannell was in custody there.
An investigation of Scannell’s relationship with a then 17-year-old Cook County girl was launched after her family requested, and received, a restraining order against him on December 4, 2012. The girl’s parents were concerned about her safety and wellbeing. The investigation led to grand jury indictment in October 2013. Scannell has been free on his own recognizance since the indictment with the condition that he has no contact with the alleged victim or with any of the witnesses in the case.
During the trial, the woman, now 19, testified that she and Scannell saw each other on numerous occasions during the summer of 2012 and that on two dates in August, they kissed and he touched her breasts, stomach and legs. She also said he suggested they have sex and she declined.
Because the age of consent in Minnesota is 16, the jury was asked to decide whether or not Scannell was in a position of authority over the girl at the time of the physical acts. At sentencing, Judge Floerke said he imposed the jail sentence in part because in Scannell’s position as Cook County Attorney, he was “held to a higher standard.”
After the sentencing, MPR’s Dan Kraker heard from Special Prosecutor Tom Heffelfinger. Heffelfineger said the victim’s family feels it’s a fair sentence.
“They wanted some jail time as evidence of the criminal conduct that he’d engaged in,” Heffelfinger said. “They were very interested in having him get treatment so this doesn’t happen again. And I think the family was satisfied.”
MPR reported that Scannell’s attorney, Joseph Tamburino, argued that his client has suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and depression since the shooting, and that a jail sentence would be detrimental to his recovery.
In a tearful apology, Scannell apologized to the victim’s family, the victim, and his own family, including his wife and two sons. He said he takes responsibility for his actions.
“I know I’ve betrayed them all,” Scannell said, “and the community of Grand Marais. I wish I could undo it and take it back.”
The victim’s mother and father also spoke. They said the trial has taken an emotional and physical toll on their daughter, who is now in college. They said she’s lost hair and weight, is withdrawn and refuses to talk to therapists.
Scannell has been in the public eye for several years, first gaining national attention when he was critically injured in the December 15, 2011 shooting in Cook County courthouse. Scannell was shot by a defendant he had successfully convicted of criminal sexual conduct with a teenaged girl.
Scannell gave notice that he was leaving the county attorney’s office indefinitely on medical leave on October 15, 2013. As an elected official, Scannell continued to be paid his full salary. On July 31, 2014, the Cook County board of commissioners voted unanimously to remove Scannell from office and to appoint Assistant County Attorney Molly Hicken as his successor.
In addition to jail time and probation, Scannell must successfully complete sex offender treatment as recommended by an August 22, 2014 psychosexual evaluation; must provide a DNA sample and must continue to have no contact with the victim or her family. He may not have unsupervised contact with children in certain circumstances and must have no unsupervised contact with females under the age of 18. Scannell must register a predatory offender and abide by registration guidelines for a 10-year period.
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