---

A Chisago County man has been arrested and charged in connection with a pair of sexual assaults that took place seven years apart in the cities of Stacy and Lindstrom. Investigative leads were developed based on DNA that was initially collected at the time of each offense.

Chisago County SWAT members arrested Donald Edmond Warner, 44, of North Branch, Friday, December 15.  Booking image provided to lower, right.

December 18,  he made his first court appearance on two separate criminal complaints. The first, charging Warner with Criminal Sexual Conduct-1st Degree and Criminal Sex Conduct-2nd Degree for a 2010 incident in the city of Stacy. 

He was separately charged with attempted Criminal Sexual Conduct-1st Degree for a 2017 incident in the city of Lindstrom. He has since been released on bond. 

Warner’s next court appearance is set for March 11, 2024, at 2 p.m.

Investigators from the Chisago County Sheriff’s Office, a detective and officers from  Lakes Area Police Department and investigators from the MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension worked the cases that were linked by DNA.

Additional victims urged to come forward

Investigators believe there may be additional incidents or attempted incidents that occurred that may be linked to Warner but were never reported. People with information that could be helpful to the investigation are urged to submit tips and information through Crime Stoppers-MN. http://www.crimestoppersmn.org or on the mobile app at P3TIPS.com.

“Our investigators never gave up on these cases and never gave up on finding justice for these victims,” Chisago County Sheriff Brandon Thyen said. “We hope that they find some measure of comfort in knowing that justice will be served.”

BCA Superintendent Drew Evans added, “Advances in investigative technique and in forensic science are happening all of the time. 

“In this case, both forensic investigation and Rapid DNA testing were employed to develop a break in the case and then quickly confirm the suspect’s identity.  This case is an example of why it is so important to never give up on any unsolved case.”

The Chisago County Sheriff’s Office and Lakes Area Police Department were assisted in their investigation by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the North Branch Police Depart.

---