Help Save My Family: Stop a Wrongful Conviction in Motley MN
By: Mn Voices The Inside
Tags: Prison Reform, Minnesota, Prison, Courts

Want to help? Please Call Judge Leonard Weiler today at 320–632–0327 and tell him to drop both charges on Erik Affolter — while registered in WI he tried to register in MN but was told to wait, and did so as soon as given proper instructions. He is now facing 16 months in prison while caring for a new baby and trying to treat his own health issues, including a brain tumor. This is both an immediate issue and a clear example of how something is wrong with how we treat those convicted of crimes that are decades old, particularly sex crimes, though in Erik’s case his ‘crime’ is actually now legal behavior thanks to a change in the law in Wisconsin. He and his high school girlfriend’s two year relationship was suddenly illegal when he turned 18.

Erik and Sheena before the baby was born

Right now my fiance Erik Affolter is being charged with “failure to register” yet he tried to register, and registered once he was allowed to. He is actually being retaliated against for the police not wanting him to have pigs at his place. This false charge is all the more urgent as he has a brain tumor that needs attention and we have a new baby that we need him here for.

Here’s the back story. Erik is 36. When he was 18 he was charged with 3rd degree criminal sexual assault for sleeping with his girlfriend of two years, who was 16. At the time WI had not adopted the Romeo and Juliet law. Since then they have and we are trying to get back in to get his charge amended but that takes time and money and neither are in our favor.

Erik moved to Motley MN in November of 2017, where he tried to do what he was supposed to do to register as a ‘sex offender’. Since he was new to the area he was unclear of what he needed to do so he tried talking to the local police — Jason B.

Erik with his new baby

Every time he would talk to Jason to see what he needed to do Jason would tell him he would check into it and let Erik know. Jason was new in town and out to make a name for himself. As time went on, Jason would never tell Erik what he needed to do even though Erik asked several times.

Erik ended up getting pot belly pigs. Jason did not like this and told Erik to get rid of them. Erik did not want to get rid of his pets and since it was not against city code he decided to take the matter to a city counsel meeting, at which point Jason got very upset and started harassing Erik.

He told Erik he needed to get his WI identification changed to MN identification so he could register. Erik did that. Four days later Jason showed up to Erik’s residence and arrested him for failure to register.

Erik got out on bail since then but Jason has harassed Erik on several occasions, even putting cameras at the park across the street facing Erik’s house, flying drones in Erik’s windows, raiding his home with a false warrant among many other things.

So Erik started staying in Staples and registered a second address with the Staples police department, while still having some of his stuff at the Motley address and still receiving mail there. Jason charged him with another failed to register. Jason also drives by the Staples address and watches Erik and his family.

We just had a baby on 8–19–19. We, Erik and myself, his fiance Sheena, own a small hobby farm and are members of the local Farmers Market. Erik is also co-owner of a tree and lawn service. Both businesses are new and we are trying to get them going we barely make enough money to keep our family a float.

Baby Kymorah

Erik is a good man and just wants to be able to live his life with his family and be a good upstanding citizen. Erik is also on disability due to his extensive health history. He has had 21 heart attacks, had two strokes and currently has a brain tumor that we are working on getting removed, but again that takes time.

Erik has a public defender but it does not seem like he has Erik’s best interest in mind. We are trying to get a real lawyer but money is tight we finally found one that will take his case for $5000. The lawyer is asking $2500 down and paying the rest within 6 months. But that only gives us 2 weeks to come up with the money because Erik’s 1st jury trial is on the 12th and 13th of September.

The DA came with a plea of 16 months in prison. Of course Erik did not take it. Why would he want to leave his family when he tried to do what he was supposed to do? Just so it is known Erik has been register with WI the whole time. He is now being charged and going to court on Sept 3rd for “failing to register in Staples” even though he already has done so, and did when he moved there.

The whole MN family

That is our story. If you have more questions or if there is anything you can do to help please feel free to give me, Sheena, a call at (270)790–1031 or send me a message at Sheenaerik2019@gmail.com.