Maplewood Cop on Paid Leave amidst Allegations of Sexual Assault, Giving Alcohol to Minors

A Maplewood police officer has been placed on administrative leave after allegations that he was involved in a sexual assault were reported to Stillwater Police last month.

Joseph Tran, a school resource officer with the Maplewood Police Department was placed on paid leave Oct. 10, Maplewood's acting Police Chief Dave Kvam told the Pioneer Press. He has been with the department since 2006.

Criminal charges were not filed in the case.

Fred Fink, head of the Washington County Attorney's Office Criminal Division, told the Star Tribune that the incident allegedly happened at Tran's home in Stillwater. After reviewing the evidence in the case, the attorney's office decided the allegation could not be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

On Oct. 8, Stillwater police received a complaint of a criminal sexual assault that allegedly occurred in Stillwater, Police Chief John Gannaway said. Tran was identified as a suspect in the case. The alleged victim was a 17-year-old Eagan girl.

“The Stillwater Police Department thoroughly investigated this reported incident and referred it to the Washington County Attorney’s Office, who determined no charges would be filed,” Gannaway said. “Another allegation, where it was reported that Tran provided alcohol to underage persons will be referred to the Stillwater City Attorney’s Office for possible charges.”

The acting Maplewood police chief told the Pioneer Press that his department would conduct an internal investigation before deciding on Tran’s employment status with the department.