Minnesota State Wire

Dillon Alvan Reyna, 33, has been sentenced to 22 years in federal prison followed by 15 years of supervised release for coercion and enticement of a minor. The sentencing took place before Judge Jeffrey M. Bryan in U.S. District Court.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Reyna met a minor under the age of 16 at a park in Duluth in October 2022. Reyna, who had previously admitted guilt for a separate sex offense in St. Louis County, Minnesota, used various methods to manipulate the victim over several months. These included providing gifts and rides that were conditioned on sexual cooperation, using physical force during sexual encounters, and filming the acts without the victim’s knowledge. He also communicated with the victim through social media accounts.

Law enforcement officers tracked the minor to Reyna’s apartment building where he initially denied knowing her and instructed her to lie to police. The victim later disclosed details of the abuse to authorities. From jail, Reyna told an associate to delete social media accounts in an attempt to conceal evidence but was unsuccessful.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson stated: “No parent should have to wonder if their child is safe at a park,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.  “Yet here, a repeat sex offender in his 30s targeted and picked up a vulnerable child from a Duluth park—a child who had already endured abuse.  That is beyond appalling.  We are seeing a disturbing rash of men in Minnesota attempting to buy or coerce sex from children.  Let me be clear:  it is predatory, it is criminal, and it will be met with the full force of federal prosecution.  We will not allow offenders to turn our parks and neighborhoods into hunting grounds for children.”

Judge Bryan referenced aggravating circumstances when handing down the sentence.

The harm caused by such offenses was underscored with references from prior court decisions about long-lasting effects on victims of child sexual assault.

Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr., FBI Minneapolis said: “Reyna’s actions were a reprehensible attack on the safety and innocence of a vulnerable child,” said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. “Far from rehabilitation, as a repeat sex offender, Reyna chose to again violate and exploit a minor victim in unthinkably heinous ways through coercion, manipulation, and force. This victim, already the brave survivor of abuse, suffered at his hands and again though the filming of the assault. This victim deserves the full weight of justice to be leveraged against Reyna. The FBI hopes this sentence shows our unflinching commitment to pursuing justice for all victims of similar abuse and sends the message to all offenders—you will be pursued, prosecuted, and punished.”

The case was investigated by agents from multiple agencies including the FBI as well as local police departments in Duluth and Hermantown.

Assistant U.S Attorneys David B. Green and Evan B. Gilead prosecuted this case.