This opinion will be unpublished and

may not be cited except as provided by

Minn. Stat. § 480A.08, subd. 3 (2014).

STATE OF MINNESOTA

IN COURT OF APPEALS

A14-1915

State of Minnesota,

Respondent,

vs.

Timothy Francis Holt,

Appellant.

Filed November 16, 2015

Affirmed

Kirk, Judge

Dakota County District Court

File No. 19HA-CR-13-3426

Lori Swanson, Attorney General, St. Paul, Minnesota; and 

James C. Backstrom, Dakota County Attorney, Elizabeth M. Swank, Assistant County 

Attorney, Hastings, Minnesota (for respondent)

Cathryn Middlebrook, Chief Appellate Public Defender, Lydia Villalva Lijó, Assistant 

Public Defender, St. Paul, Minnesota (for appellant)

Considered and decided by Kirk, Presiding Judge; Johnson, Judge; and Bjorkman, 

Judge. 

U N P U B L I S H E D O P I N I O N

KIRK, Judge

Appellant challenges the district court’s denial of his motion to withdraw his plea 

of guilty to two charges of second-degree criminal sexual conduct, arguing that his plea 

was not accurate. We affirm. 
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FACTS

On October 17, 2013, respondent State of Minnesota charged appellant Timothy 

Francis Holt, a Liberian citizen, with two counts of second-degree criminal sexual 

conduct relating to incidents occurring in 2001 and 2004, respectively, and one count of 

pattern of harassing conduct relating back to 2001 through 2004. The statement of 

probable cause alleged that, in May 2012, the Apple Valley Police Department received a 

report that a 13-year-old child had informed a trusted adult that appellant had sexually 

abused her in 2004, when she was five or six years old. The child reported that appellant 

placed her on the bed, removed her pants, and licked her vagina with his tongue. 

During the police investigation into the alleged incident, a 20-year-old female 

complainant came forward, alleging that appellant had sexually abused her in 2001, when 

she was eight or nine years old. The complainant alleged that, on one occasion, appellant 

entered her bedroom, pulled down her pants, and touched and licked her vagina. The 

complainant also described a second incident, when she was ten years old, where 

appellant had rubbed her vagina under her pants while she was sleeping on the floor in a 

sleeping bag. 

On January 24, 2014, appellant entered an Alford plea to two counts of seconddegree criminal sexual conduct in exchange for dismissal of the charge of pattern of 

harassing conduct and agreed-upon consecutive sentences of 21 months, stayed.

Appellant also agreed on the record that he understood that in exchange for the Alford 

plea, the state would not charge him with several additional counts, including two counts 

of first-degree sexual conduct. Appellant signed a plea petition waiving his trial rights 
3

and acknowledging that he was represented by counsel, that he had sufficient time to 

discuss the case and any possible defenses with his attorney, and that his attorney had 

represented his interests and fully advised him of his trial rights. 

At the plea hearing, appellant’s attorney questioned appellant about his 

understanding of the plea petition, and appellant agreed that he had reviewed the petition

and the state’s evidence with him. Appellant’s attorney questioned appellant about the 

evidence against him and his understanding of the charges, starting with the first count of 

second-degree criminal sexual conduct:

Q: Okay. So, again, directing your attention to 2001, at some 

point during 2001 were you in Dakota County, Minnesota?

A: Yes.

Q: At some point during that year you were in the [C]ity of 

Apple Valley, is that correct?

A: Yes. 

Q: At some point during that year you were in the presence 

of a person who has been identified as victim number two, 

who we refer to as [T.] who now lives in Anchorage, Alaska?

A: Yes.

Q: That person is now 20 years of age and at the time in 

2001, she was, I believe, eight years old?

A: Yes. 

Q: At some – at that time, when she was eight years old, 

which obviously is under the age of 13 years you were more 

than 36 months older than she?

A: Yes.

Q: Obviously that’s still true, isn’t it?

A: Yes.

Q: At some point during 2001 you had some physical contact 

with her, is that correct?

A: Yes.

Q: The allegation[ ] that she makes is that you touched her, 

do you understand that?

A: Yes.

Q: The allegation is that you touched her in her private area, 

is that correct?

A: Yes.
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Q: And, specifically, you touched her vagina, is that correct?

A: Yes.

Q: You understand that this is what she reported to the police 

when she disclosed her allegations in 2012?

A: Yes.

Q: And you understand that that is consistent with the 

statement that she made within the last ten days when she had 

a telephone conference with the county attorney’s office? 

A: Yes.

Q: And you’ve seen the notes from that conference?

A: Yes.

Q: Now, we don’t agree with everything that she says 

happened. We don’t necessarily agree with how she says it 

happened, but you would agree that if that evidence was 

submitted to a jury, at a jury trial, there is a substantial 

likelihood that a jury would find that to be credible and on 

that basis could convict you of the offense with which you are 

charged? 

A: Yes.

Appellant’s attorney also questioned appellant regarding the evidence supporting the 

second count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct: 

Q: Directing your attention to Count 2, that is also criminal 

sexual conduct in the second degree and that relates to a 

situation in the year 2004?

A: Yes.

Q: During that calendar year, you were at some point in 

Dakota County, Minnesota, is that correct?

A: Correct.

Q: At some point you were in the City of Apple Valley, is 

that correct?

A: Correct.

Q: At some point you were in the presence of a person who’s 

been referred to as victim number one who is now 15 years of 

age?

A: Yes.

Q: That person at that time was approximately four or five 

years old?

A: Yes.

Q: At that time you were more than 36 months older than she 

was?

A: Yes.
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Q: At some point you had some physical contact with her, is 

that correct?

A: Yes.

Q: You understand again from the evidence that has been 

submitted, consisting of both the reports from the police and 

her statements to the county attorney, as well as the other 

information that we have, that she alleges that there was a 

point where you had some contact with her private parts, 

specifically with her vagina, is that correct?

A: Yes.

Q: And you understand again, that if she testified consistent 

with what she’s reported to the police, and she testified 

consistently with what she told the county attorney within the 

last few days as set forth in the notes that I have provided you 

with there is a substantial likelihood that a jury could find you 

guilty of that offense?

A: Yes.

Q: And part of your decision and your desire today is to take 

advantage of this plea agreement, is that correct?

A: Yes, sir.

Q: And on that basis, you’re entering a plea of guilty as to 

both counts and you’re asking the [c]ourt to accept those 

pleas, is that correct?

A: Yes.

The prosecutor also questioned appellant on the record:

Q: You understand that you’re entering this as an Alford 

plea?

A: Correct.

Q: And do you believe based on the evidence, the jury, in 

applying the presumption of innocence and the requirement 

of proof beyond a reasonable doubt, would find you guilty in 

this case?

A: Yes.

The district court accepted the plea. It found on the record that based on appellant’s 

admissions, there was sufficient evidence to support a jury verdict of guilty on both 

counts, and that his plea was entered voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently.
6

On August 14, the district court held a sentencing hearing. Prior to sentencing, 

appellant’s attorney stated on the record that he had learned from reading appellant’s 

presentence investigation report that appellant was a permanent resident of the United 

States, and that he was likely subject to deportation to Liberia by pleading guilty to these 

crimes. Appellant’s attorney also stated that because he failed to explain to appellant the 

likelihood of deportation at his plea hearing, appellant was “theoretically not given 

effective assistance of counsel at the time of the plea.” Appellant’s attorney explained 

that he had spoken extensively with appellant about the pros and cons of bringing a 

motion to withdraw his guilty plea on the ground of ineffective assistance of counsel, but 

appellant had advised him that he did not wish to withdraw his plea, and that he requested 

to proceed with sentencing. 

The district court sentenced appellant to an upward departure of two consecutive 

21-month sentences, stayed, a five-year conditional release term for each count, and 

dismissed the remaining harassment charge. The basis for the upward departure was that 

the offenses took place in the victims’ zone of privacy, which was their home and 

bedrooms. The district court ordered appellant to serve 180 days in jail, with 129 days 

credit for time served, and up to 17 years on probation. 

This appeal follows.

D E C I S I O N

The validity of a guilty plea is a question of law, which this court reviews de novo. 

State v. Raleigh, 778 N.W.2d 90, 94 (Minn. 2010). Minn. R. Crim. P. 15.05, subd. 1, 

states in relevant part that “the court must allow a defendant to withdraw a guilty plea 
7

upon a timely motion and proof to the satisfaction of the court that withdrawal is 

necessary to correct a manifest injustice.” A guilty plea is invalid and manifestly unjust 

if it is not accurate, voluntary, and intelligent. Raleigh, 778 N.W.2d at 94.

For a guilty plea to be accurate, a proper factual basis must be established. State v. 

Ecker, 524 N.W.2d 712, 716 (Minn. 1994). A defendant who enters an Alford plea 

maintains his innocence, but pleads guilty because the record establishes, and the 

defendant reasonably believes, that the state has sufficient evidence to obtain a 

conviction. Id. (citing North Carolina v. Alford, 400 U.S. 25, 37, 91 S. Ct. 160, 167 

(1970)); see also State v. Goulette, 258 N.W.2d 758, 761 (Minn. 1977) (recognizing 

Alford pleas in Minnesota). A strong factual basis ensures that the defendant does not 

plead “guilty to a more serious offense than he could be convicted of were he to insist on 

his right to trial.” State v. Theis, 742 N.W.2d 643, 649 (Minn. 2007) (quotation omitted). 

“[C]areful scrutiny of the factual basis for the plea is necessary within the context of an 

Alford plea because of the inherent conflict in pleading guilty while maintaining 

innocence.” Id. at 648-49. The factual basis of an Alford plea is accurate when sufficient 

facts are “on the record to support a conclusion that defendant’s conduct falls within the 

charge to which he desires to plead guilty.” State v. Iverson, 664 N.W.2d 346, 349 

(Minn. 2003) (quotation omitted). 

Second-degree criminal sexual conduct is established when a perpetrator engages 

in sexual contact with a victim who is under 13 years of age and the perpetrator is more 

than 36 months older than the victim. Minn. Stat. § 609.343, subd. 1(a) (2000); id., subd. 

1(a) (2004). Sexual contact, as defined in section 609.341, subdivision 11(a), includes 
8

touching a victim’s vagina with the hand or mouth, and with sexual or aggressive intent. 

Minn. Stat. § 609.341, subd. 11(a) (2000); id. at subd. 11(a) (2004). Second-degree 

criminal sexual conduct is a specific intent crime requiring the person to act with sexual 

or aggressive intent. State v. Austin, 788 N.W.2d 788, 792-93 (Minn. App. 2010), review 

denied (Minn. Dec. 14, 2010). 

Appellant first argues that the state failed to prove the intent element of the 

offense, namely that he acted with sexual or aggressive intent. See Minn. Stat. § 609.341, 

subd. 11(a). In Theis, the Minnesota Supreme Court stated that the better practice for 

establishing an adequate factual basis for an Alford plea is “based on evidence discussed 

with the defendant on the record at the plea hearing.” 742 N.W.2d at 649. This 

discussion may occur through interrogation of the defendant about the underlying 

conduct, introduction of witness statements or abbreviated witness testimony, or 

stipulation to the facts. Id.

Here, appellant never admitted that he touched either victim with sexual or 

aggressive intent. But because appellant entered an Alford plea, he was not required to 

admit that he acted with specific intent while committing the crime; rather he only had to 

acknowledge his “probable guilt and the likelihood a jury would convict him.” See 

Ecker, 524 N.W.2d at 717 (holding that an Alford plea allowed Ecker to plead guilty to 

first-degree felony murder without expressing the requisite specific intent to kill during 

the commission of a felony because he believed the state’s evidence was sufficient to 

convict him). Under the prosecutor’s questioning, appellant admitted on the record that 

he reviewed the state’s evidence for both charges and he believed that there was a 
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substantial likelihood that a jury would find him guilty of each offense. See id. This 

admission of a substantial likelihood he would be found guilty is sufficient for the 

accuracy requirement.

Second, appellant argues that there was an insufficient factual basis for the district 

court to accept his Alford plea because, aside from the plea petition, the prosecutor did 

not offer any evidence to support the charges. See Theis, 742 N.W.2d at 649. 

A review of the record shows that at the plea hearing, appellant’s attorney

summarized the victims’ expected testimony, which the district court could rely on in 

accepting appellant’s factual basis for the plea. Id. As the supreme court noted in Theis,

summarizing a victim’s likely testimony is one of the practices district courts are 

encouraged to follow in establishing a strong factual basis for an Alford plea. Id. 

Appellant agreed to his attorney’s summary of the underlying facts for each offense and 

also agreed under questioning by both his attorney and the prosecutor that there was a 

substantial likelihood that he would be found guilty of both offenses if the victims 

consistently testified at trial. 

Appellant admitted that he was accepting the plea negotiation in order to avoid 

more serious criminal charges. He acknowledged that he and his attorney had reviewed 

all of the state’s evidence against him. While the district court need not have explicitly 

found that the accuracy requirement was satisfied, the court determined on the record that 

appellant’s Alford plea was knowing, intelligent, and voluntary, and that there were 

sufficient facts on the record to support the plea. See State v. Johnson, 867 N.W.2d 210, 

216 (Minn. App. 2015). 
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Third, appellant argues that his Alford plea was undermined by the fact that he was 

only asked leading questions at the plea hearing, and that the district court did not ask 

him any questions. Unless the district court is “reasonably satisfied that an adequate 

factual basis has been established,” it should personally interrogate the defendant. Ecker, 

524 N.W.2d at 717. The district court must be “particularly attentive” to situations where 

a defendant is offering an Alford plea, but is asked only leading questions by counsel. Id. 

at 716. 

Here, the district court stated on the record that it found that there was a sufficient 

factual basis to accept the district court’s plea, and the record contains sufficient evidence 

to support appellant’s convictions of both charges. Moreover, appellant’s guilty plea is 

not per se inaccurate because he provided only “yes” or “no” responses. See Raleigh,

778 N.W.2d at 94 (“Still, a defendant may not withdraw his plea simply because the court 

failed to elicit proper responses if the record contains sufficient evidence to support the 

conviction.”). In addition, appellant was not asked compound, leading questions where it 

would be unclear what question he was actually answering during the plea colloquy. See 

Theis, 742 N.W.2d at 650 (indicating that a defendant’s response to a compound question 

may be insufficient to support an Alford plea). The district court did not err in holding 

that appellant’s guilty plea was accurate and supported by a strong factual basis.

Affirmed.