Eden Prairie man sentenced to 90 days in jail, probation in sexual conduct case

A 19-year-old Eden Prairie man was sentenced to 90 days in the Hennepin County Adult Corrections Facility (also known as the workhouse) and three years of probation after admitting to nonconsensual sexual penetration during an incident in 2024.

Mark Thomas Derouin appeared Wednesday, April 9, in Hennepin County District Court before Judge Hilary Caligiuri, who followed a plea agreement reached in February. Derouin pleaded guilty to felony fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct. A more serious third-degree charge was dismissed as part of the agreement.

Assistant Hennepin County Attorney Natasha Yenina, representing the state, told the court the plea deal took Derouin’s age and lack of a criminal record into account. But she emphasized the seriousness of the offense and urged the court to impose the full 90-day jail sentence.

“This is a very serious offense, and the state views it as such,” Yenina said. “The impact on the victim is profound and lasting. The defendant took away her power, her agency, and her bodily autonomy. He instilled fear and betrayed her trust in a deeply personal and violating way.”

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She added that a sentence without any jail time would send the wrong message and undermine accountability.

Before sentencing, the victim delivered a detailed and emotional impact statement describing the psychological, physical and emotional toll of the assault. She spoke of flashbacks, panic attacks, and a loss of trust in those around her, including herself.

“The betrayal of trust by someone I considered a friend has left me feeling like I lost a part of myself,” she said.

Derouin’s attorney, Ryan P. Garry, argued against any jail time, saying his client had already taken responsibility and was committed to rehabilitation.

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“This was a very (trial-worthy) case,” Garry said. “But my client told me, ‘I want to get this over with. I want to accept responsibility.’ Despite my assurances that I try and win a lot of cases, I think what he did here – owning up to it – deserves some mitigating consideration.”

Derouin, addressing the judge directly, said he was remorseful and determined to change.

“I know what I did was wrong, and I’m truly sorry for the pain I’ve caused,” he said. “This has been a heavy and difficult time for both me and my family. I’m not here to make excuses. I want to be a better person, a better son, and someday, a good father.”

Judge Caligiuri said the nature of the offense warranted jail time, despite Derouin’s remorse.

“I am going to impose the full 90 days in the workhouse, and that is in light of the serious nature of this offense,” she said in court. “I don’t take this lightly. This is a serious crime that violated the victim in many ways. And while it’s not a prison crime, significant jail time is very appropriate, in my view.”

Derouin will be eligible for work release and may leave the facility for job-seeking or treatment. If he successfully completes probation, the felony conviction will be reduced to a misdemeanor.

Caligiuri also ordered Derouin to complete a sex offender treatment program, register as a predatory offender, stay at least three blocks from the victim’s home, work or school, and have no contact with her in any form. Additional conditions include abstaining from alcohol and non-prescribed drugs, maintaining full-time work or school enrollment, and complying with restrictions on internet access and sexually explicit materials.

The judge also reserved restitution for 30 days, giving prosecutors time to determine whether a financial claim for damages will be submitted. Defense counsel noted that Derouin is currently unemployed and has no income.

Derouin is scheduled to report to the Hennepin County Adult Corrections Facility by 10 a.m. on Wednesday, April 23.