Kevin Thompson
On Wednesday, July 7, 2010 at the Cook County courthouse, Judge Kenneth Sandvik announced the disposition of a husband and wife who admitted to forcibly restraining, terrorizing, and sexually assaulting an acquaintance over the course of eight hours in May of 2009. Kevin and Susan Thompson of Grand Marais were sent their separate ways to reap the consequences of their actions after stern words from the judge and a powerful victim impact statement.
Both Mr. and Mrs. Thompson underwent psychosexual assessments that included recommendations that they be required to successfully complete sex offender treatment in order to avoid the full penalties the law would allow. Both of them lost the right to own firearms and possess any weapons, including, according to Judge Kenneth Sandvik, everything short of a knife for carving a roast. They must pay restitution and fines totaling $50,000, payable within 60 days unless their financial records convince Probation that installments are in order.
Susan Thompson must spend the next two years on house arrest, leaving home only with the permission of her probation officerto buy necessary items such as food and clothing for herself and their preteen child. Mrs. Thompson avoided jail time only because of the child. She must have permission from her probation officer before allowing any visitor into her home. These restrictions could be loosened if she successfully completes sex offender treatment.
Mrs. Thompson will be monitored electronically the entire 10 years of her probation, and she cannot leave the state. The activities on her computer will be monitored to ensure that she does not view pornography or solicit or engage in sexual encounters online. She must avoid any contact with the victim and must tell her probation officer if she accidentally encounters the victim somewhere. She cannot attend school functions or volunteer in the community.
If she fails the terms of her sentence, Mrs. Thompson will be incarcerated and her probation will extend 10 more years after her release. Judge Sandvik recommended that Probation exercise “tight controls” on Mrs. Thompson for at least the first two years of her probation.
Mrs. Thompson’s attorney, Christopher Stocke, took issue with an order that she stay off all social networking Internet sites. He said he believes the Thompsons’ sexual practices were not related to the crime, but seizure of the Thompsons’ computer resulted in finding a Craigslist ad soliciting participants to act out a scenario similar to the one eventually forced on the victim.
Mrs. Thompson’s sentence was greater than the presumptive sentence of 24 months in prison, a “very reasonable” course of action, Judge Sandvik said. “Thisis a serious case and the court has thought about this – has thought about this a lot,” he said.
The court’s first concern has been for the child, Sandvik said. He said he was concerned about the violent nature of the crime. “We’re not talking about consenting adults engaging in sexual activity,” he said. “This was not a consensual encounter. It was not a spur of the moment encounter. It was plotted and planned and it went on over the course of several hours. … The victim was terrorized.”
Guardian ad litem Timothy Costley will be advocating for the safety of the Thompsons’ child. Judge Sandvik gave him broad leeway in determining the best interests of the child.
Before Mr. Thompson was sentenced, Judge Sandvik admonished Mrs. Thompson, “Work that program and figure out what you need to do to move in a different direction.”
Mr. Thompson was given the same types of restrictions on Internet use as his wife. His attorney, Richard Holmstrom, said he thinks people have been mixing up the Thompsons’ unconventional sexual lifestyle with violent crime. He said Mr. Thompson overreacted to concerns over his wife’s relationship with the victim.
In addition to the requirements outlined above, Mr. Thompson was sentenced to two years at Northeast Regional Corrections Center (NERCC), a minimum-security facility outside of Duluth, and one year in jail after that. He could get out earlier if he successfully completes sex offender treatment, but aftercare will also be required. He must serve 10 years probation after he is released from jail.
“These are very violent, very scary offenses,” Judge Sandvik said. “You were the major perpetrator of these premeditated offenses.” Weapons were used, threats were made, the victim was confined, he said. “The victim was not by any measure a willing participant in this.”
The judge ordered that Mr. Thompson be taken into custody immediately. Mr. Thompson was denied his request that his wife and son be allowed to take him to NERCC the following day so his son could see where he would be. There is no reason to defer custody, Sandvik said. He didn’t see how the child riding with his father to jail would help the child’s psychological health.
“I would urge you to take the sex offender treatment very seriously as a first step,” Judge Sandvik told Mr. Thompson.
Following are excerpts from the statements the victim made during sentencing:
I am very thankful for the
diligence and competence of the
professionals we have in our legal
system. Our local sheriff’s department,
the staff at the courthouse
and everyone who worked in collaboration
in the case of State of
Minnesota vs. Thompson deserves
the highest of praise.
The Thompsons are sexual
perverts and have had many
casual encounters, arranging
these trysts via Craigslist in various
markets…A Craigslist ad
describing a “fantasy situation”
was found on the Thompsons’
computer that closely mirrors
what they did to me. The
Thompsons suggested that they
could “help” me get “set up” on
Craisglist in major markets so
that I could “enjoy their lifestyle.”
…It is utterly incomprehensible
that these people thought
that they could commit a heinous
crime and walk free. Their
presence here in our county is an
abhorrence, an insult and is completely
unacceptable and incompatible
with our community and
our values.
These are scurrilous individuals
who show no shame,
no remorse, no regret, and no
conscience for their behaviors.
They have flaunted themselves
throughout the community,
flouted accepted social norms,
and postured themselves as
upstanding citizens.
… While I was held captive,
Mr. Thompson was quite adamant
that he was “always going to
win.” He bragged about how he
was from the “real Cook County”
[Illinois] where he had ties to
organized crime and a father who
had “killed 17 men.” I am glad
that we live in the “real” Cook
County where justice prevails.
Mr. and Mrs. Thompson are
now experiencing the fruition of
their labors; they are beginning
to reap what they have sown. hope that they are enjoying the
figurative stew that they cooked
up; quite a conundrum for the
man who threatened to burn, dismember,
and feed my innards to
me with a spoon.
I distinctly remember Kevin’s
insane ranting, so confidently,
carelessly, and callously referring
to us all as “a bunch of hillbillies,”
arrogantly stating that it would
be I who would be moving from
the community, .…and threatening
me with loss of livelihood, loss
of income, certain incarceration,
and the inability to gain employment,
while he would continue
to reside here with his “beautiful
wife. …”
It is my sincerest hope that
the Thompsons experience a bit
of inconvenience and hardship
during these coming months and
years. I also hope that they will
become better equipped to rejoin
society. I think that they should
be thankful for the terms of this
agreement. It is more lenient than
it could be, however it addresses
treatment issues, re-entrance
issues, and accommodates their
son as best as possible in light of
their infractions.
I and many others would be
delighted if they were to never
reside in our county again after
the conclusion of their initial
sentences. As for myself, I am at
peace with the settlement and suggest that the Thompsons strive
for healing as well.
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