Minnesota

Centreville man indicted on federal child exploitation charges in Minnesota – WTOP News

Published

1 year ago

July 19, 2024

Centreville man indicted on federal child exploitation charges in Minnesota – WTOP News

According to court documents, Raymond Jung Woo Choi began messaging the 13/14-year-old girl on social media apps between November of 2023 and February of 2024.

A man from Centreville, Virginia, is under arrest after police say he coerced a teenager in Minnesota to send sexually explicit photographs of herself to him and then tried to meet her in person.

Raymond Jung Woo Choi, 41, was arrested in Fairfax City on Monday after a grand jury indicted him on one count of production of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of coercion and enticement of a minor.

According to court documents, Choi began messaging the 13/14-year-old girl on social media apps between November of 2023 and February of 2024 using an alias of “Jason Lee.”

Prosecutors said Choi knew the victim was a minor and in middle school when he messaged her. They claim Choi would convince the girl to send him the photos and in return provide gifts, which he either sent via Amazon or mailed through the U.S. Postal Service to her home.

In January, while waiting for more photos of the victim, Choi is accused of sending her a message about meeting in person.

The message Choi is accused of sending to the victim reads: “Ugh I wish I could just visit u. And record our own. Problem solved.”

Choi, according to prosecutors, boarded a plane in February and flew to Minnesota with the intention of meeting the victim — but that meeting never happened because of “family and law enforcement intervention,” court documents stated.

Choi then flew back to Virginia, where he was arrested this month. He remains behind bars in the Commonwealth as he awaits transportation to Minnesota to face the charges there.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minnesota said the case was part of what it called part of “Project Safe Childhood” — an initiative aimed at identifying and rescuing victims of exploitation and prosecuting those responsible.

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Related Topics:child sexual abuse department of justice DOJ Featured mike murillo raymond jung woo choi us attorney's office for minnesota

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Minnesota

Everything you need to know about Sounders-Minnesota

Published

2 hours ago

November 3, 2025

Press Room

Everything you need to know about Sounders-Minnesota

The Seattle Sounders have been here before. In fact, they’ve been here quite often. This will the 17th time the Sounders have played a literal must-win playoff game since Brian Schmetzer took over in 2016. They have gone 11-5 in their previous 16 such games.

Minnesota United has a little more room for error after winning Game 1 in a penalty shootout, so it’s not a must-win for them. Historically, though, they’ve gone just 2-5 in must-win playoff games and are on a four-game losing streak. They will likely just as well avoid a must-win game if they can help it.

Here’s what you need to know:

Injury news

Sounders

OUT: Paul Arriola – Knee; Pedro de la Vega – Knee

Minnesota

None

Opposition players to watch

Kelvin Yeboah: The striker wasn’t healthy enough to start in Game 1, but he did come off the bench. It’s not entirely clear if he’s yet been cleared to start, but either way he gives the Loons a look they otherwise don’t have. Yeboah allows the Loons to play a more coherent style, acting as a hold-up player that allows them to build (to the degree they are interested).

Dayne St. Clair: No one cast a bigger shadow of Game 1 then the newly crowed Goalkeeper of the Year. Although he was really only tested a couple of times in regulation, he came up with a massive save in the shootout. His general presence can’t be overstated either as he just makes the goal seem smaller.

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Sounder at Heart will receive a portion of all sales made using this link.

Stats to look smart

2.4 — The Sounders generated 2.4 xG in Game 1, easily the most they had created in a game without scoring this year. If they are able to do that again, scoring at least one goal seems extremely likely.

4 – The Sounders have twice generated four big chances in a game in which they failed to score at least once. Both were against Minnesota United.

Tactics to impress

The Sounders’ two best chances were generated with Jordan Morris sending in crosses from the right side to Danny Musovski. Don’t be at all surprised if we see that tactic attempted again.
Minnesota United likely feels like for all the chances they gave up in Game 1, they were ultimately OK with the tradeoff. Their main focus will almost certainly be keeping numbers behind the ball and forcing the Sounders to break them down.

Opposition research

Kit matchup

Playoff bracket

More listening

Listen to the episode: Click here

This player is still in beta, there may be some bugs.

Niko and Jeremiah talk through the possible sale of the Sounders

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Minnesota

“Altercations” during final night of “ValleyScare” lead to early closure of Valleyfair

Published

20 hours ago

November 2, 2025

Press Room

“Altercations” during final night of “ValleyScare” lead to early closure of Valleyfair

WCCO Staff

Updated on: November 2, 2025 / 8:34 PM CST
/ CBS Minnesota

The final night of a Halloween-themed event at Valleyfair in Shakopee, Minnesota, ended early due to “two altercations between parties,” according to a park spokesperson.

The park’s website noted Saturday was the last evening of “Valleyscare,” dubbed as the “Twin Cities’ largest Halloween event.” It was scheduled from 7 a.m. to midnight.

But videos on social media show a large police presence in the parking lot sometime around 10 p.m., with guests streaming out and saying they were told to go home.

A Valleyfair spokesperson gave this statement to WCCO on Sunday: “Valleyfair is a family-friendly environment, and we do not tolerate disruptive or inappropriate behavior. Guests who violate our Code of Conduct are required to leave the park. Last evening, park security personnel responded to two altercations between parties. As a result, several guests were escorted off park property. We are fully cooperating with local law enforcement on their investigation into the altercations. Last evening marked the final scheduled operating day of Valleyfair’s 2025 season.”

WCCO also reached out to the Shakopee Police Department and the Scott County Sheriff’s Office for more information.

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Minnesota

Randle scores 30 as Timberwolves beat Hornets 122-105

Published

2 days ago

November 2, 2025

Press Room

Randle scores 30 as Timberwolves beat Hornets 122-105

November 1, 2025 / 11:01 PM CDT
/ AP

Julius Randle scored 30 points to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves past the Charlotte Hornets 122-105 on Saturday night, their first victory since All-Star Anthony Edwards was sidelined with an injury.

Without Edwards, who has a right hamstring strain, Minnesota had lost home games to Denver and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Donte DiVincenzo and Naz Reid added 18 points each, Rudy Gobert had 14 points and 15 rebounds and Jaden McDaniels added 14 points for Minnesota.

Miles Bridges had 30 points and LaMelo Ball had 18 points, seven rebounds and eight assists to lead Charlotte, which has lost its last three games.

Charlotte led 56-50 at halftime before Minnesota dominated the third quarter 36-18 to take and 86-74 lead into the final quarter. The Timberwolves’ strong play extended into the fourth quarter as they eventually built a 20-point lead.

Minnesota made 17 of 36 3-pointers (47.2%) , getting conversions from DiVincenzo (5 of 12), Randle (3 of 6), Rei (3 of 5), McDaniels (2 of 2), Johnny Juzang (1 of 1) and Bones Hyland (1 of 3).

The Hornets were 13 of 45 (28.9%)from 3-point range.

This was the first game since the Hornets announced they had exercised their fourth-year team option on guard Brandon Miller and third-year team option on forward Tidjane Salaun.

Miller, the second overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, has appeared in 103 career games, but missed 65 games last year after needing right wrist surgery and missed his fourth straight game Saturday with a left shoulder injury.

Timberwolves guard Rob Dillingham was playing in his second career game near his hometown of Hickory, North Carolina, 60 miles northwest of Charlotte. He had four points and three assists in 15 minutes.

Timberwolves: Play at Brooklyn on Monday night.

Hornets: Host Utah on Sunday night.

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