Twin Cities racehorse owner pleads guilty in sex assault
Barry Butzow, a 79-year-old Twin Cities racehorse owner, pleaded guilty Monday in Hennepin County to fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct in the alleged sexual assault of a bartender.[1]
A judge stayed a 364-day jail sentence and prosecutors said they will ask the court to cap his active jail time at 90 days.[1] He will be required to register as a predatory offender and serve two years of probation, and sentencing is set for June 30 in Hennepin County District Court.[1]
In May 2024, the victim says Butzow drugged her at a private party and then sexually assaulted her at his Eden Prairie home.[1] She woke up in bed as he assaulted her, and hospital DNA testing later matched Butzow, according to prosecutors.[1] He had originally faced a charge of third-degree criminal sexual conduct.[1]
Butzow is a prominent Twin Cities racehorse owner and breeder whose horses have competed at Canterbury Park and included a 2022 Kentucky Derby entrant.[1]
Show source details & analysis (1 source)
📌 Key Facts
- Defendant: Barry Butzow, 79, prominent Twin Cities racehorse owner and breeder with horses at Canterbury Park and a 2022 Kentucky Derby entrant.
- Charge/outcome: Pleaded guilty to fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct; original charge was third-degree criminal sexual conduct.
- Incident details: Alleged May 2024 drugging and sexual assault of a bartender at his Eden Prairie home after a private party; victim woke up in bed as he assaulted her and hospital DNA matched Butzow.
- Sentence terms: Stayed 364-day jail sentence with prosecutors to argue for a 90-day cap, mandatory predatory offender registration, and two years of probation.
- Next step: Sentencing set for June 30 in Hennepin County District Court.
📰 Source Timeline (1)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time