Ryan Denzer-Johnson

St. Louis County Jail

VIRGINIA — A former Iron Range teacher was sentenced Monday to 18 years in prison after pleading guilty to repeatedly sexually abusing a child over a period of more than a year.
Ryan Ross Denzer-Johnson, 44, of Embarrass, received the maximum guideline sentence of 216 months from Judge Robert Friday in St. Louis County District Court. Denzer-Johnson pleaded guilty in November to two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a child under the age of 14.
Denzer-Johnson was originally charged in August with three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Under a plea agreement reached in November, one count was dismissed and he pleaded guilty to the remaining two counts. The agreement allowed prosecutors to seek a sentence exceeding 17 years, while the defense retained the right to argue for the minimum guideline term.
The offenses occurred between March 2023 and July 2024, according to court records. A criminal complaint states that the victim disclosed the abuse during a forensic interview conducted in early August. The girl described repeated sexual contact by Denzer-Johnson, at times occurring multiple times a day.
Law enforcement reports indicate that Denzer-Johnson admitted to his wife that he had sexually assaulted the girl and told investigators he could not rule out additional incidents beyond those he specifically recalled.
St. Louis County prosecutor Amber Pederson argued for the maximum sentence, citing the severity and duration of the abuse and its lasting impact on the victim. She also noted that Denzer-Johnson had previously expressed concerns about his sexual thoughts involving minor females yet continued to place himself in leadership roles involving children, which she described as deeply troubling.
State records show Denzer-Johnson has been licensed as a math teacher for grades 5 through 12 in Minnesota since 2014. He previously taught at Northeast Range School in Babbitt and later at Mesabi East Schools in Aurora. He resigned from Northeast Range in June 2023 to take the position at Mesabi East and was also involved in robotics programs at both schools.
Denzer-Johnson also served in youth ministry and on a church advisory board, according to prosecutors.
Court records and statements from the county attorney’s office indicate that the abuse was not related to his employment or volunteer activities.
Defense attorney Karl Sundquist requested the minimum allowable sentence of approximately 12.75 years.
In support of that request, Sundquist pointed to Denzer-Johnson’s acceptance of responsibility, expressions of remorse, and participation in counseling, arguing those factors supported a sentence at the low end of the guideline range.
Judge Friday rejected the defense request and imposed the maximum sentence allowed under the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines.
In a statement following the sentencing, St. Louis County Attorney Kim Maki emphasized the seriousness of the crimes and praised the victim for coming forward.
“The maximum sentence issued by Judge Friday in this case reflects the seriousness of crimes committed against children and sends a clear message that our community will not tolerate such harm,” Maki said. “We recognize the extraordinary courage and strength shown by the victim in coming forward and engaging in the criminal justice process. Their bravery helped ensure accountability and justice.”
Under Minnesota law, Denzer-Johnson must serve at least two-thirds of his sentence, or 12 years, in custody.
The remaining portion of the sentence will be eligible for supervised release. He will receive credit for time served since his arrest in August.