Red Lake Man Sentenced to 63 Months’ Imprisonment for Sexual Abuse of a Minor

ST. PAUL - United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen announced that Darwin Lee Lussier Jr., 37, of Red Lake, was sentenced to 63 months in prison and 15 years of supervised release for one count of sexual abuse of a minor. He was sentenced before Chief U.S. District Judge Eric C. Tostrud on October 28, 2026. Lussier previously pleaded guilty on March 24, 2026.

According to court documents, from on or about December 2018 and continuing until on or about December 2019, the defendant knowingly engaged in sexual contact with a minor. During this time, the minor was between the ages of 12 and 13 years old. During some of this abuse, the minor victim was entrusted to Lussier as a caregiver.

"Today's sentence holds the defendant accountable for his heinous actions against a minor in his care. There is no higher priority for my office than to protect children of Red Lake against child predators and violent crimes," said United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen.

"For far too long, Darwin Lussier abused a young child. Thanks to the bravery of a victim who had the courage to come forward and speak up, Mr. Lussier is now being held accountable," said FBI Minneapolis Field Office Special Agent in Charge Christopher D. Dotson. "The FBI and our tribal law enforcement partners work relentlessly to bring justice to child victims and hold offenders responsible for their crimes. Today's sentence is one part of one victim's healing and sends an important message that victims' voices are heard."

This case was the result of an investigation by the FBI with assistance from other law enforcement partners.

Special Assistant United States Attorney Nicholas Grey prosecuted the case.