Undercover Cops Expose Child Sex Operation In St. Louis Park: Police

ST. LOUIS PARK, MN — Undercover police officers exposed a child sex operation in St. Louis Park, the city's police department announced Thursday.

Four people were arrested, including 38-year-old Mohamed Ali Selim, who is the principal at Eagle Ridge Middle School in the Burnsville-Eagan-Savage District.

Selim has been charged with prostitution of an individual believed to be aged 13 to 16.

The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a fee of up to $20,000, or both, according to a criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County District Court.

"Following these upsetting allegations, the district's immediate and primary concern is for the well-being of our students," the district told Patch. "Based on the information the district has seen so far, there's no indication that District 191 students are involved. The district will cooperate with law enforcement as they investigate and will take appropriate actions as dictated by district policies and procedures."

The sting was conducted Tuesday by police from St. Louis Park, Bloomington, Eden Prairie and Eina, as well as the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Southwest Hennepin Drug Task Force, Minnesota Human Trafficking Investigators Task Force and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office.

Three of the men were booked and then released, but due to Selim's position of authority working with children, he remains in custody at Hennepin County Jail, according to authorities.

"This is a hard day for the school and for the district," said Superintendent Dr. Theresa Battle. "It will be difficult for all of us to process this. At the same time, we will continue our commitment to providing a high quality education and experience for students as we finish the school year."

According to prosecutors, undercover officers placed prostitution ads online. Selim messaged an undercover officer posing as a 15-year-old girl, saying he "would love to come see her," according to the criminal complaint.

Selim at first said that "it wasn't going to work," due to the girl being 15, but then said he would still come see her so they could "spend some time together," prosecutors said.

Selim arrived at the address in St. Louis Park and told the undercover officer he was there, investigators said. He was then arrested and made comments that his life and career were over, according to authorities.

Officers found over $200 cash on Selim and found the messages and calls between him and the undercover officer on Selim's phone, according to prosecutors.

According to the district, Associate Principal Bill Heim will serve as acting principal, and counselors will be available for students and staff.