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Jury finds Lynd man guilty of prostitution

NEW ULM — A jury of nine men and three women deliberated for about eight minutes July 6 before finding a 70-year-old Lynd man guilty of felony prostitution with a minor believed to be age 16 to 18.

Lawrence D. Depyper of Lynd was among eight suspects in a week-long undercover sex sting in Springfield that were arrested Aug. 26, 2017, and charged with felony prostitution in Brown County District Court on Aug. 29, 2017. His sentencing hearing was set for 9:15 a.m. Aug. 20.

The suspects ranged in age from 20 to 70. Court complaints detailed suspects and law enforcement sending hundreds of text messages to each other.

Undercover investigators acted as 16-year-old females willing to trade sex or sex acts for money or narcotics.

“It’s encouraging to know that these stings conducted by law enforcement are helping keep communities safe from those that would otherwise prey on children,” said Assistant Brown County Attorney Dan Kalk. “Our local law enforcement have put in an incredible amount of time and training, making sure these stings are effective. They all deserve credit for making our community safer.”

The investigations were made possible by grants received from the Minnesota Women’s Foundation “Girls Are Not For Sale” campaign and the Minnesota Department of Justice.

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