Predatory Offender Convicted In Rochester Sex Sting Investigation

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A plea deal was finalized today in Olmsted County court with a convicted sex offender who was charged in connection with an undercover juvenile sex sting investigation.

New Conviction For Predatory Offender

Forty-five-year-old Marvin Douglas Fear, who had a Chatfield address at the time of his arrest, has entered an Alford plea to felony counts of soliciting a child through electronic communication to engage in sexual conduct and failing to register as a predatory offender. In exchange, two other felony-level offenses stemming from the investigation were dismissed.

The Alford plea means Fear does not admit guilt, but acknowledges there is sufficient evidence for a conviction.

Undercover Juvenile Sex Sting Investigation

According to a criminal complaint filed in September 2024, the sting investigation utilized a social media profile featuring two images of a young female that was set up by an undercover law enforcement officer. The charges allege that Fear began messaging the account and stated that he wished to have sex with the fake juvenile girl after he was told she was under the age of 18. Fear was also accused of sending two sexually explicit images of himself to the undercover officer.

Arrested in Brainerd

The court document says Fear indicated that he was living in Brainerd, where Rochester police officers and Brainerd police later executed a search warrant at his residence. The criminal complaint says the search led to the discovery of 23 images of child sexual abuse material depicting sexual assaults on children ranging in age from 4 to 6 years old.

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Previous Conviction

Minnesota court records indicate Fear was convicted of 2nd-degree criminal sexual conduct in Aitkin County in 2014.

Fear is scheduled to be sentenced in October. A Petition to Enter Plea of Guilty in the case indicates Olmsted County prosecutors will recommend consecutive prison sentences.