Richfield School Staffer Charged With Sex Crimes Against Student

RICHFIELD, MN — A Richfield Middle School staff member is accused of sexually assaulting a student multiple times over the past month, including incidents that occurred on campus, according to police.

Joshua James Moton, 23, of Bloomington, is charged with first- and second-degree criminal sexual conduct in Hennepin County. Prosecutors said that between April 1 and May 13, Moton engaged in sexual contact with a 14-year-old student while in a position of authority.

If convicted, Moton faces up to 30 years in prison on the first-degree charge and 25 years on the second-degree charge. He is being held in the Hennepin County Jail on $650,000 bail.

According to the criminal complaint, Richfield police responded to the school on May 13 after a student reported that another student had disclosed sexual activity involving Moton.

Investigators say the reporting student had seen emails on the victim's school laptop in which Moton allegedly said he would take her to an area of the school without security cameras.

An in interview with the victim, she told police that about a month ago, Moton kissed her in the school basement after escorting her from class. She said he later brought her to a downstairs area near the gym on several occasions, where he coerced her into performing sexual acts.

The most recent incident reportedly occurred on May 12, police said.

She also told investigators that Moton contacted her on social media. A cellphone used for those communications was turned over to police.

Police arrested Moton later that day. After being advised of his Miranda rights, Moton initially denied any physical contact but later admitted to sexual acts with the student, including oral sex and inappropriate touching in the school’s weight room, according to the complaint. He acknowledged that the conduct was illegal due to her age and his role at the school.

Investigators seized Moton’s cellphone and are continuing to examine social media and school email communications as part of the case.