NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 12, 2025
MEDIA CONTACT: Wade Backstrom
218-726-2323 or backstromw@stlouiscountymn.gov
Ryan Ross Denzer-Johnson pleads guilty to multiple counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the First Degree
Court File # 69VI-CR-25-809
Today, Ryan Ross Denzer-Johnson, 44, pleaded guilty to two counts of Criminal Sexual Conduct in the First Degree involving a minor child under the age of 14, St. Louis County Attorney Kim Maki said. These charges stem from assaults that were committed between March of 2023 and July of 2024. The Honorable Judge Robert Friday accepted the guilty pleas and set a sentencing hearing for January 5th, 2026, at 9:00 a.m.
Mr. Denzer-Johnson’s sentence will be determined by the court after argument. The plea agreement allows the State to argue for the maximum prison sentence pursuant to the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines (216 months), while Mr. Denzer-Johnson will be free to argue for the minimum sentence prescribed by the guidelines (153 months).
“Today’s guilty plea ensures that Mr. Denzer-Johnson will be held accountable for the devastating harm he inflicted on a child. As a teacher and church leader, Mr. Denzer-Johnson was entrusted with the safety and development of children. That trust has been broken, and today’s plea is an important step toward accountability and healing,” said County Attorney Maki.
“We commend the bravery of the victim for coming forward and cooperating throughout this process. Her courage made this outcome possible,” continued Maki.
The St. Louis County Attorney’s Office would like to thank the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office and the St. Louis County Public Health and Human Services Department for their diligent work in this matter.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant County Attorney Amber Pederson.
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