Dec. 9—GRAND FORKS — A Mapleton man was sentenced to 10 years Monday, Dec. 9, for four felony sex crimes involving the 17-year-old mother of his children and a 12-year-old boy.
Sebastain Vennie Hipsak, 23, pleaded guilty to Class B felony luring a minor under the age of 15 by electronic means, Class C felony solicitation of a minor under the age of 15, Class C felony corruption of a minor over age 15 and Class C felony possession of certain materials prohibited.
Hipsak’s most severe charge, Class A felony promoting or directing an obscene sexual performance by a minor, was dismissed under a plea agreement.
Hipsak called Grand Forks dispatch in February because of concerning sexual thoughts he’d been having about minors, according to an affidavit filed in the case. He was taken to the emergency room for evaluation.
Law enforcement discovered Hipsak had been pursuing a 12-year-old boy to engage in sexual acts with, and had regularly been engaging in sex acts with his 17-year-old girlfriend.
They lived together and shared two children. Sexual photos and videos of the girl were found on Hipsak’s phone.
Hipsak had propositioned a 12-year-old boy to have sex with himself and his girlfriend, but his girlfriend said she declined because of the boy’s age.
A review of involved parties’ cell phones revealed sexual messages, including one in which Hipsak said, “(why) does it matter the age.”
The plea agreement reached by the state and defense, which Judge John Thelen accepted, was for a 10-year sentence followed by 10 years of supervised probation.
Conditions of probation include sex offender registry and treatment as well as no contact with any juveniles — aside from Hipsak’s biological children — without prior approval.
The 10-year sentence was for the Class B felony. Hipsak is not required to serve any additional time for the remaining three charges, however, he faces up to 15 more years if he violates probation.
The state, defense and judge said they believed the crimes were not subject to the state’s 85% rule, so Hipsak could be eligible for release before serving 85% of his prison sentence.
During the hearing, he tearfully spoke about seeing other men in jail who want to get out and be there for their children, but unfortunately reoffend and return to custody.
Hipsak expressed a desire to accept the consequences of his actions, serve his time and move forward.
“I want to live that life with my kids,” he said.
Thelen said he believes there’s a minimal chance of Hipsak reoffending after serving his sentence and completing treatment, and he hopes to be right about this assessment.
Hipsak has credit for 257 days served.