OFFICE OF THE WASHINGTON COUNTY ATTORNEY

PETER J. ORPUT COUNTY A TTORNEY

Press Release
Contact: Imran Ali FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Assistant Criminal Division Chief
Phone: 651-430-6144 DATE: November 18, 2019

Convicted Pimp Charged with Sex Trafficking Another Victim

County Attorney Pete Orput today announced that Calvin Keith Caldwell Jr., 32, of Saint Paul, has
been charged with two counts relating to sex trafficking at hotel facilities in Woodbury and Oakdale.
Caldwell was charged with one count of Sex Trafficking and one count of Promotion of Prostitution.
The charges came out of an investigation conducted by the East Metro Sex Trafficking Task Force
(EMSTTF). EMSTTF includes members from the Woodbury Department of Public Safety, Oakdale
Police Department, Washington County Sheriff’s Office and the US Department of Homeland Security.

According to the complaint, members of the EMSTTF initiated a proactive investigation into a
commercial sex operation that was occurring at a hotel in Woodbury. During this investigation, it was
discovered that law enforcement had contact with both Caldwell and the victim of trafficking earlier
on unrelated matters. An operation was set up where the victim was recovered and offered services
and Caldwell was arrested. The undercover operation occurred in the city of Oakdale. In 2010,
Caldwell was convicted of a felony resulting from a sex trafficking operation in Dakota County.

Orput took this opportunity to commend the assiduous work by law enforcement to proactively
identifying victims of sex trafficking. Orput stated, “This is another example of a case where the
victim of trafficking would continue to be victimized unless and until proactive intervention by law
enforcement. Victims of trafficking are located in every community and it is our job to locate these
victims and investigate these crimes that are becoming all too common. Our office will continue to
work with law enforcement to investigate and aggressively prosecute these cases.”

## Criminal Complaint to Follow ##

State of Minnesota District Court
County of Washington 10th Judicial District
Prosecutor File No. CR-2019-1902
Court File No. 82-CR-19-4686

State of Minnesota, COMPLAINT
Plaintiff, Order of Detention
vs.
CALVIN KEITH CALDWELL    DOB: 02/04/1987
401 Curtice St W
Apt 1
Saint Paul, MN 55107
Defendant.

The Complainant submits this complaint to the Court and states that there is probable cause to believe
Defendant committed the following offense(s):
COUNT I
Charge: Engages in the sex trafficking of an individual
Minnesota Statute: 609.322.1a(4), with reference to:  609.322.1(b)(1)
Maximum Sentence: 15 years/$30,000
Offense Level: Felony
Offense Date (on or about): 01/04/2019 to 11/14/2019
Control #(ICR#): 19049597
Charge Description: intentionally, and while acting other than as a prostitute or patron, engage in the sex
trafficking of an individual
COUNT II
Charge: Promotes Prostitution of an Individual
Minnesota Statute: 609.322.1a(2), with reference to:  609.322.1(b)(1)
Maximum Sentence: 15 years and $30,000
Offense Level: Felony
Offense Date (on or about): 01/04/2019 to 11/14/2019
Control #(ICR#): 19049597
Charge Description: intentionally and while acting other than as a prostitute or patron, promoted the
prostitution of an individual

1
 STATEMENT OF PROBABLE CAUSE
 
The Complainant states that the following facts establish probable cause:
 
Your Complainant is a licensed peace officer in the State of Minnesota and is employed by the Washington
County Sheriff's Office. In that capacity, your Complainant states the following to establish probable cause: 

On 11-12-2019, Oakdale Police Detective Ryan Stuart from the East Metro Sex Trafficking Task Force
(EMSTTF) observed a commercial sex advertisement posted online in the city of Woodbury. Detective
Stuart noted the advertisement depicted a white female soliciting sexual services. The advertisement
contained numerous photographs of a female in various stages of undress. A check into a law enforcement
platform that archives sex advertisements posted throughout the United States revealed that the phone
number associated with the advertisement was tied to over four-hundred advertisements in 2019. The
advertisements were in various states and cities all over the United States including many cities in
Minnesota. Detective Stuart initiated an undercover (UC) text message exchange with the listed phone
number in the advertisement. In the UC text exchange, Detective Stuart was provided the location of a hotel
in the city of Woodbury. A hotel room number was not obtained at this time and the investigation continued
in an effort to identify the female in the advertisement and the possibility of a trafficker. 

On 11-13-2019, Woodbury Police Detective Paul Kroshus received a complaint from a concerned citizen
that a female sex worker was at a hotel in Woodbury, was assaulted "by her pimp" and went to an area
hospital for her injuries. The complainant identified the female as SFB (DOB: 09-23-1993) and that they
were concerned about her safety and welfare. The complainant said that her "pimp" goes by nicknames of
"Junior", "Buddha", or "Little Buddha." The complainant stated that the incident occurred on 11-12-19
before "her pimp" was arrested for a DWI. Detective Kroshus confirmed the hotel name provided by the
complainant was the same hotel connected to the commercial sex advertisement Detective Stuart
discovered the day prior. 

Detective Kroshus learned that SFB was a passenger in a vehicle where the driver was arrested for a DWI
on 11-12-2019. The driver was identified as Calvin Keith Caldwell Jr. (DOB: 02-04-1987), the defendant
herein. According to the police reports, the Minnesota State Patrol was dispatch to a "physical domestic"
in a vehicle. The police reports noted that SFB had visible injuries but refused to cooperate with an assault
investigation. SFB stated that the physical assault occurred earlier at Treasure Island Casino. The
defendant was arrested for the DWI. Detective Kroshus learned that after the DWI arrest, a Woodbury
Police Officer was dispatched to Woodwinds Hospital on a report of a female that was being treated for
assault type injuries. The female in the emergency room was identified as SFB. SFB again refused to
cooperate with an assault investigation. 

Detective Kroshus made contact with the hotel in Woodbury and learned that the hotel room was rented by
the defendant and SFB. Hotel management received a complaint of a loud domestic/fighting coming from
the room. The hotel management also noted that SFB had significant injuries to her face on 11-13-2019. 

On 11-14-2019, Detective Kroshus saw another commercial sex advertisement on a known commercial
sex website depicting SFB. Detective Kroshus initiated UC text communication with the same phone
2
number as Detective Stuart had on 11-12-2019. Detective Kroshus was provided the location of the same
Woodbury hotel. An agreement for "full service" for one hour, in exchange for $400 was made. During the
UC texts, Detective Kroshus was asked whether they could change the location to another hotel because
the hotel staff in Woodbury would ask the guests for their identification. Detective Kroshus provided the
location of an apartment in the city of Oakdale, Washington County. The commercial sex appointment was
set for 11:30 AM. 

When the time was set via text, members from the EMSTTF conducted surveillance at the Woodbury hotel
and observed the defendant drive SFB to the predetermined meet location in Oakdale. Upon arrival the
defendant dropped SFB off at the main door of the apartment building. After dropping off SFB, a traffic
stop was initiated, and the defendant was arrested. The defendant was in possession of one cell phone. A
forensic examination of this device is pending. The defendant was interviewed and stated that he was
there to pick up marijuana and denied being involved with prostitution. SFB was interviewed and admitted
that she is a commercial sex worker. SFB stated that she is involved in a romantic relationship with the
defendant. SFB confirmed that the defendant has knowledge of the prostitution however does not force her
to do it. SFB was provided resources and was released. 

Members of the EMSTTF found social media pages belonging to the defendant and SFB. The defendant's
social media profile contains images, videos and language in social media posts associated with active
gang involvement in St. Paul. The defendant posted pictures of SFB and social media posts while traveling
all over the United States. While the defendant and SFB were in California, Illinois, Nevada in 2019,
commercial sex advertisements for SFB were posted in the same cites the defendant was visiting. An
examination of SFB's social media reveals that pictures and social media posts that are indicative of
human trafficking. Based on the commercial sex advertisements and the defendant's social media history,
it is believed that SFB was trafficked in several states in 2019 by the defendant. 

A preliminary search of the SFB's cell phone revealed that SFB and the defendant communicated often.
The defendant would send "screen shots" of various text messages with sex buyers to SFB. It appeared
that while SFB was at a commercial sex appointment, the defendant would communicate with sex buyers.
In other text communication, it was discovered that sex buyers transferred money from commercial sex
dates through Wells Fargo using a phone number and address connected to the defendant. It is believed
that that defendant benefitted financially from the trafficking of SFB. 

The defendant has several felony convictions including a prior qualified human trafficking offense. The
defendant was convicted of felony soliciting prostitution in Dakota County in 2010 (19-HA-CR-085387). ?In
that case the defendant was arrested after a sex trafficking operation was discovered in an area hotel.
According to the complaint, when the defendant was arrested he stated "where are my girls at?" Inside the
hotel room, two females were found. When interviewed by law enforcement, one of the females stated that
the defendant took pictures of her, posted them on-line for the purposes of commercial sex and rented the
hotel room since she was under 21. 

Due to the defendant's criminal history, prior sex trafficking conviction, ongoing criminal activity, significant
out-of-state travel, and the report that the defendant physically assaulted SFB, high bail is requested.

3
 SIGNATURES AND APPROVALS

Complainant requests that Defendant, subject to bail or conditions of release, be:
(1) arrested or that other lawful steps be taken to obtain Defendant's appearance in court; or
(2) detained, if already in custody, pending further proceedings; and that said Defendant otherwise
be dealt with according to law.
Complainant declares under penalty of perjury that everything stated in this document is true and
correct. Minn. Stat. § 358.116; Minn. R. Crim. P. 2.01, subds. 1, 2.

Complainant Marc Roady Lombardi Electronically Signed:

Sergeant 11/15/2019 08:46 AM
15015 62nd Street N Washington County,  mn
PO Box 3801
Stillwater, MN 55082-3801
Badge: 144

Being authorized to prosecute the offenses charged, I approve this complaint.

Prosecuting Attorney Imran Ali Electronically Signed:

PO Box 6 11/15/2019 08:44 AM
15015 62nd Street North
Stillwater, MN 55082
(651) 430-6115

4
 FINDING OF PROBABLE CAUSE
From the above sworn facts, and any supporting affidavits or supplemental sworn testimony, I, the Issuing Officer, have
determined that probable cause exists to support, subject to bail or conditions of release where applicable, Defendant’s arrest
or other lawful steps be taken to obtain Defendant’s appearance in court, or Defendant’s detention, if already in custody,
pending further proceedings. Defendant is therefore charged with the above-stated offense(s).

SUMMONS
THEREFORE YOU, THE DEFENDANT, ARE SUMMONED to appear on ________ ___, _____ at _____ AM/PM
before the above-named court at 14949 62nd Street N PO Box 3802, Stillwater, MN 55082-3802 to answer this
complaint.

IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR in response to this SUMMONS, a WARRANT FOR YOUR ARREST shall be issued.

WARRANT
To the Sheriff of the above-named county; or other person authorized to execute this warrant: I order, in the name of the State
of Minnesota, that the Defendant be apprehended and arrested without delay and brought promptly before the court (if in
session), and if not, before a Judge or Judicial Officer of such court without unnecessary delay, and in any event not later than
36 hours after the arrest or as soon as such Judge or Judicial Officer is available to be dealt with according to law.

Execute in MN Only Execute Nationwide Execute in Border States

X ORDER OF DETENTION
Since the Defendant is already in custody, I order, subject to bail or conditions of release, that the Defendant continue to be
detained pending further proceedings.

Bail:  $
Conditions of Release:  

This complaint, duly subscribed and sworn to or signed under penalty of perjury, is issued by the undersigned Judicial Officer
as of the following date: November 15, 2019.

Judicial Officer Juanita Freeman Electronically Signed: 11/15/2019 09:08 AM

Tenth Judicial District Judge

Sworn testimony has been given before the Judicial Officer by the following witnesses:
 

COUNTY OF WASHINGTON
STATE OF MINNESOTA

State of Minnesota
Plaintiff LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER RETURN OF SERVICE
I hereby Certify and Return that I have served a copy of this Order of
vs. Detention upon the Defendant herein named.
Signature of Authorized Service Agent:
Calvin Keith Caldwell
Defendant

5
 DEFENDANT FACT SHEET

Name: Calvin Keith Caldwell
DOB: 02/04/1987
Address: 401 Curtice St W
Apt 1
Saint Paul, MN 55107

Alias Names/DOB:
SID:  
Height:
Weight:
Eye Color:
Hair Color:
Gender: MALE
Race:
Fingerprints Required per Statute: Yes
Fingerprint match to Criminal History Record: No
Driver's License #:  
Alcohol Concentration:

6
 STATUTE AND OFFENSE GRID
Cnt Statute Offense Statute Nbrs and Descriptions Offense MOC GOC Controlling Case
Nbr Type Date(s) Level Agencies Numbers

1 Charge 1/4/2019 609.322.1a(4) Felony Z1183 N MN0820000 19049597

Engages in the sex trafficking of an
individual
  Penalty 1/4/2019 609.322.1(b)(1) Felony Z1183 N MN0820000 19049597
Enhanced Penalty - Committed a prior
qualified human trafficking-related
offense

2 Charge 1/4/2019 609.322.1a(2) Felony Z1303 N MN0820000 19049597

Promotes Prostitution of an Individual
  Penalty 1/4/2019 609.322.1(b)(1) Felony Z1303 N MN0820000 19049597
Enhanced Penalty - Committed a prior
qualified human trafficking-related
offense