HSI, law enforcement partner, investigation leads to arrest of Minneapolis fugitive accused of child sex trafficking

MINNEAPOLIS – A Minnesota man was arrested Wednesday evening in Atlanta following a nationwide federal law enforcement request for public assistance, and a reward of $5,000 for information leading to his arrest.

This case is being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the FBI and the Bloomington (Minnesota) Police Department. The FBI offered the reward in the case.

Charles William Dexter III, 40, of Minneapolis, turned himself in to local authorities in Atlanta. He was previously charged by federal indictment with sex trafficking a minor. He’s also wanted in Hennepin County, Minnesota, on related state charges.

According to court documents, between August 12, 2020, and August 14, 2020, Charles William Dexter III, 40, knowingly recruited, enticed, harbored, transported, provided, and advertised a minor victim to engage in a commercial sex act, knowing that the victim had not attained the age of 18 years.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Manda M. Sertich and Chelsea A. Walcker are prosecuting the case.

An indictment is merely an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

HSI is a directorate of ICE and the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel, and finance move.

Learn more about HSI’s mission @HSISaintPaul.