POLK COUNTY, Minn. — A Mentor, Minnesota, man waived his Thursday, Nov. 13, omnibus hearing and pleaded not guilty to two sex crimes arising from allegations that he, as a restaurant manager, accepted a sexual favor from an underage employee.

Francisco Arellano, 38, is charged with felony first- and third-degree criminal sexual conduct. The first-degree charge carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison and a mandatory minimum of 12 years.

The case against Arellano was filed June 11, but the allegations come from an April 2024 incident, according to a probable cause statement filed in the case.

A 14-year-old girl told law enforcement May 1, 2024, that she had sexual contact with Arellano in exchange for a nicotine vape pen during her shift at work a few days prior. She said Arell

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