House Approves Van Binsbergen Bill to Increase ‘Sextortion’ Penalties

From left, Dan and Jaime Bremseth of Olivia hold a photo of their late son, Carter, as they meet with Rep. Scott Van Binsbergen, R-Montevideo, on the House floor Monday at the Capitol in St. Paul.

House approves Van Binsbergen bill to increase ‘sextortion’ penalties

ST. PAUL – The Minnesota House of Representatives on Monday unanimously passed legislation Rep. Scott Van Binsbergen, R-Montevideo, authored to increase penalties for “sextortion” crimes.

The 2021 death of Carter Bremseth in Olivia brought this issue front and center locally. He was just 16 years old when he took his own life after becoming the victim of an online sextortion hoax. Van Binsbergen said the Bremseth case is not isolated. In fact, a top official with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension called it a “pandemic that has taken our country by storm.”

Van Binsbergen indicated perpetrators often use aggressive tactics once illicit images are obtained.

“The conversation quickly turns into ‘send me money or your life is over because I’m sending these pictures to your friends, family, teammates and others if you don’t,’” Van Binsbergen said. “They target good kids like Carter who are involved in the community and may feel trapped. His family had even shared discussions about the dangers online predators pose but things spiraled out of control in the blink of an eye. Everything changed in a 24-hour period after Carter fell victim.”

Van Binsbergen’s bill (H.F. 2358) imposes enhanced penalties for some sextortion violations. If the offense substantially contributes to the victim suffering great bodily harm, the penalty may be imprisonment of up to 10 years, a fine of up to $20,000, or both. If the offense substantially contributes to the victim’s death, the penalty may be imprisonment of up to 15 years, a fine of up to $30,000, or both.

The legislation also takes financial factors into consideration on an escalating scale for these crimes. At maximum, violations resulting in gains or losses of $2,500 or more may carry imprisonment of up to 10 years, a fine of up to $20,000, or both.

“I’m grateful for all the support the House showed in passing this bill,” Van Binsbergen said. “Today, we stood for Carter so that perpetrators who prey on people this way are held accountable for thesir heinous actions. I can’t imagine the pain the Bremseths have suffered and it’s now their mission to raise awareness of this issue to help spare other families this grief. I hope that, in some way, the House helped their cause by approving this bill.”

Carter’s parents, Dan and Jaime Bremseth, were in the House gallery on Monday to witness the bill’s 134-0 passage. The increased penalties it provides would become law on Aug. 1, pending approval from the Senate and Gov. Tim Walz.