Man sentenced for 2018 sexual abuse of minor

Charles Wesley Jones skipped previous sentencing, now faces 14 years in prison

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:23pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a pair of metal handcuffs against a completely black background, the harsh lighting creating dramatic shadows and textures that convey a sense of seriousness and investigation.The harsh, sudden flash of a camera captures the grim reality of a criminal case involving the sexual abuse of a minor.Austin Today

A 46-year-old man has been sentenced to just under 15 years in prison for the 2018 sexual abuse of a minor under the age of 13. Charles Wesley Jones originally faced multiple counts of felony criminal sexual conduct, but three of the charges were dismissed as part of the sentencing. Jones had previously skipped a scheduled sentencing hearing in June 2025 but was apprehended and sentenced this week in Mower County District Court.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing challenge of holding perpetrators of sexual crimes against minors accountable, as victims often face long delays in seeing justice served. The sentencing also raises questions about the effectiveness of the criminal justice system in ensuring defendants appear for their scheduled court dates.

The details

Jones was charged with four counts of felony first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor under 13 years old in 2018. He was originally scheduled to be sentenced in June 2025 but failed to appear, leading to an additional felony charge for failure to appear. Jones was later apprehended and sentenced this week to 168 months (14 years) in prison at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in St. Cloud. He will receive credit for 2 years, 3 months and 2 days already served.

  • Jones was charged with the crimes in 2018.
  • He was originally scheduled to be sentenced in June 2025 but skipped the hearing.
  • Jones was sentenced on April 9, 2026 to 14 years in prison.

The players

Charles Wesley Jones

A 46-year-old man who was convicted of sexually abusing a minor under the age of 13 in 2018.

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The takeaway

This case underscores the need for the criminal justice system to find ways to ensure defendants appear for sentencing and be held accountable, especially in cases involving the sexual abuse of minors. The long delay between the crime and final sentencing also highlights the challenges victims face in seeking justice in a timely manner.