Minneapolis National Guard Sergeant Convicted of Sexually Abusing Subordinate

The abuse occurred during a 2020 training mission where the staff sergeant outranked the 23-year-old soldier.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 2:13pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a military dog tag or other small piece of equipment, dramatically lit by a harsh camera flash against a pitch-black background, conveying a stark, gritty, and investigative aesthetic without depicting any violence.A military investigation into a case of sexual abuse within the ranks exposes the complex power dynamics that can enable misconduct, even during training exercises.Minneapolis Today

A former member of the Minnesota National Guard was found guilty by a federal jury of sexually abusing a subordinate during a training mission at a California Army base in 2020. Kelly Boylan, a 56-year-old Minneapolis resident, was convicted of one count of abusive sexual contact after the incident involving a 23-year-old junior soldier he outranked.

Why it matters

The case highlights the issue of sexual misconduct within the military, where power dynamics and rank disparities can enable abuse. It also raises concerns about the military's ability to properly investigate and prosecute such incidents when they occur during training exercises away from the home base.

The details

According to evidence presented at trial, Boylan, who held the rank of staff sergeant, sexually abused the subordinate specialist during a monthlong training mission at Fort Irwin in San Bernardino County, California in July 2020. The victim later reported the incident to the Army's law enforcement division, leading to Boylan's arrest and prosecution by federal authorities.

  • The incident occurred in July 2020 during a training mission at Fort Irwin in California.
  • Boylan was convicted by a federal jury on April 10, 2026.

The players

Kelly Boylan

A 56-year-old former member of the Minnesota National Guard who was convicted of sexually abusing a subordinate soldier during a training mission.

The Victim

A 23-year-old junior soldier who held the rank of specialist and was outranked by Boylan during the training mission.

U.S. Attorney's Office

The federal prosecutors who announced Boylan's conviction.

FBI

The federal law enforcement agency that investigated the case, with assistance from the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division.

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What’s next

Boylan is scheduled to be sentenced on July 24, 2026. He faces a statutory maximum of two years in federal prison.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenge of addressing sexual misconduct within the military, where power dynamics and rank disparities can enable abuse, even during training exercises away from the home base. It underscores the importance of robust investigation and prosecution procedures to hold perpetrators accountable and protect vulnerable service members.