Ex-Teacher Charged with Sexual Assault, Maple Grove PD Look for More Victims
A Maple Grove man, who is also a former teacher, is charged with having sex with one of his teenage students. Daniel Laskowski, 32, made his first court appearance Thursday. He is charged which two counts of criminal sexual conduct and two counts of using a minor to make pornographic videos.
Daniel Laskowski taught social studies at Columbia Academy in Columbia Heights. He was the alleged victim’s sixth-grade teacher and football coach. According to the criminal complaint, in the fall of 2017, the boy’s mom discovered her 15-year-old son had been to Laskowski’s home without her knowledge and was given alcohol.
“We trust and hold coaches and teachers to a higher regard,” said Maple Grove Police Captain Adam Lindquist.
Police: Maple Grove Resident Groomed Victim
Court documents show last summer Laskowski reached out to the teen using Snapchat and they started spending more time at Laskowski’s house. During one of these encounters, the former teacher told the boy they could make a lot of money together if the victim was willing to make a pornographic video with him. He told the victim he had contacts in Europe who would buy the video for $250,000. The criminal complaint says the boy, who was 15 at the time, was in need of money and agreed to meet Laskowski’s home to make the video on June 19, 2018. Laskowski performed a sex act on victim and then used his cell phone to record it, the complaint said.
“The suspect in this case that was clearly in a position of authority. And took advantage of this young juvenile male,” said Captain Lindquist.
Later, the man convinced the boy to make another video and then tried to get the boy to make a third video. However, this time, the teen and his mom contacted police.
“The detective was able to meet up with the family and work with the family to capture evidence,” said Lindquist.
Police are now running forensic tests on those electronic devices to see if there are any other victims.
Laskowski’s bail was set at $300,000 with conditions and $500,000 without. He is due back in court Feb. 14. Maple Grove police encourage the public to contact them if you have any information on this case.
