Ohio man charged with sex crime in Pope County

This dog was found near Garfield on Jan. 25 with a gunshot wound in its back. A GoFundMe page has been set up to cover the costs of its care.

By Travis Gulbrandson

May 03, 2022 03:23 PM

GLENWOOD — An Ohio man has been charged with a felony sex crime after coming to Glenwood to find a student he met online.

Christian James Mackson, 29, was charged with engaging in electronic communication relating or describing sexual conduct with a child and appeared in Pope County Court on Monday, May 2.

On Friday, April 29, the Pope County Sheriff's Office received a report from Minnewaska Area Middle School of an unknown man at the school, a press release read.

Thanks to the quick actions of school staff, the Pope County Sheriff's Office and Glenwood Police Department were able to apprehend Mackson at a Pope County hotel, the press release read.

Mackson traveled from Dayton, Ohio, for the sole purpose of finding a student he had met online, the press release read. As of May 2, he is being held on bail.

The Pope County Sheriff's Office and Glenwood Police Department were assisted in this investigation by the Minnesota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Minneapolis Airport Police.

By Travis Gulbrandson

Travis Gulbrandson covers several beats, including Osakis School Board and Osakis City Council, along with the Brandon-Evansville School Board. His focus will also be on crime and court news.

Ohio man charged with sex crime in Pope County

Christian James Mackson, 29, was charged with engaging in electronic communication relating or describing sexual conduct with a child.