Minnesota Appeals Court overturns prostitution bust

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ST. PAUL, Minn. — The state Appeals Court is calling a Minneapolis police officer's conduct in a prostitution sting "outrageous" and "repugnant to the criminal justice system."

The strong words from the court came in a ruling Tuesday that overturned the conviction for misdemeanor prostitution of a woman who worked at a Minneapolis massage parlor.

The court ruled the undercover officer violated the woman's due process rights when he initiated the sexual conduct by fondling her bare breasts, then permitted the contact to escalate.

The court ruled that while officers may engage in some sexual behavior if it's demanded by the suspected prostitute to prove they aren't cops, this was different because the officer initiated the sexual contact.

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