Eden Prairie racehorse owner, 78, charged with felony sexual assault

A prominent racehorse owner and businessman from Eden Prairie was charged Dec. 4 in Hennepin County District Court with third-degree felony criminal sexual conduct. The charges include an arrest warrant issued by the court, and a nationwide warrant for the defendant’s arrest, according to the criminal complaint.

Barry William Butzow, 78, is accused of drugging and sexually assaulting a bartender at his home in May, the complaint states.

The complaint states that Butzow hired the woman, who worked at a bar in Shakopee, to serve as a private bartender for a party at his residence on May 18. Two days later, on May 20, Butzow invited her back to help pack and clean leftover food, the woman told Eden Prairie police.

While at Butzow’s home, the woman said they were drinking wine when Butzow attempted to kiss her several times, despite her protests. When she tried to leave, Butzow allegedly insisted she stay, saying she should not drive. She told police she lost consciousness shortly afterward. When she woke up in a bedroom, Butzow was sexually assaulting her, the complaint states. The woman said she later managed to escape.

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The woman sought medical attention at a hospital that night, where staff collected DNA samples. She told police she believed she had been drugged because she only had three glasses of wine and did not feel very intoxicated before losing consciousness.

On June 13, Butzow told police in an interview that the woman appeared intoxicated, and he encouraged her to lie down in his bedroom. He admitted to rubbing her back while she was “in and out of consciousness,” but he denied sexually assaulting her, according to the complaint.

Forensic analysis later indicated a match to Butzow, with a probability of 100 billion times more likely than an unrelated individual, the complaint states.

Reached by phone on Thursday, Butzow declined to comment. A call to his attorney, Christopher Madel, was not immediately returned.

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Hennepin County prosecutors requested bail be set at $100,000, with the complaint citing the severity of the charges and concerns for public safety. Conditions of release include no contact with the victim, no use of drugs or alcohol, and random testing. If convicted, Butzow faces up to 15 years in prison and fines of up to $30,000.

Butzow is a well-known figure in the horse racing world. He and his wife, Joni, own several racehorses, including Zozos, who competed in the 2022 Kentucky Derby. The couple was inducted into the Canterbury Park Hall of Fame in 2019 for their contributions to Minnesota’s racing industry.