A Kenyan national named Wilson Tindi, who was convicted of sexually assaulting a sleeping woman in Minnesota, was not deported after serving his sentence. Instead, the Kenyan national has now been promoted to a top position in the state government.
He currently serves as the Director of Internal Audit and Advisory Services at the Minnesota Department of Education (MDE), where he monitors public spending and internal operations.
Why Wilson Tindi was arrested
Tindi was convicted of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct in 2016, which stemmed from breaking into a woman’s home and assaulting her in her bed.
Tindi pleaded guilty to the sexual assault in exchange for the dismissal of a first-degree burglary charge.
He was sentenced to two years in prison, required to register as a predatory offender, and ordered to serve 210 days in a workhouse. The rest of the sentence was stayed for five years.
Prosecutor Raises Alarm Over Public Employment
A former prosecutor familiar with the case said they were shocked Tindi now holds a state leadership role.
“I don’t know how he would have passed a background check; he is a felon and a registered sex offender. How is he employed?” the attorney asked.
Court documents also reveal a 2012 accusation of a similar nature, though not formally charged. Prosecutors introduced it via a Spreigl notice to support the 2016 case by showing a pattern of misconduct.
“He is dangerous, he has no business being paid out of our taxpayer dollars and should be back with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE),” the former prosecutor added
Detention and Legal Battles
Wilson Tindi was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in August 2016. A judge ordered his deportation based on the felony conviction, and the Board of Immigration Appeals upheld the ruling. However, the deportation was stayed by a higher court.
Also Read: Kenyan Man Convicted for Conspiring with Terrorists to Bomb KICC
Tindi challenged his extended detention through a habeas corpus petition, arguing that it had become unconstitutional.
A federal judge agreed, stating that continued detention no longer served the intended legal purpose. Tindi was released in February 2018 after 18 months in ICE custody.
Immigration Fallout
In May this year, Tindi filed a petition seeking to vacate his guilty plea, claiming that his attorney failed to explain the immigration consequences.
He argued that had he known it would result in permanent inadmissibility, he wouldn’t have accepted the plea deal.
Also Read: Grace Wacuka Exposes Film Director for Sexual Assault
But in June, he withdrew the petition, citing slim chances of success, though he left the door open to refile.
Wilson Tindi was also recently arrested for driving while intoxicated. Neither the Minnesota Department of Education nor Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty responded to requests for comment.
Follow our WhatsApp Channel and X Account for real-time news updates.
