Akeem Adebayo Lamina, a 56-year-old St. Paul man, was sentenced to 364 days in the Ramsey County workhouse after pleading guilty to felony second-degree criminal sexual conduct with a minor. Lamina, who owned a grocery store in Maplewood, sexually assaulted a child who had been entrusted to his care. In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors dismissed a more severe charge of first-degree criminal sexual conduct.
As part of his sentence, Lamina will serve 138 days, having already been credited for time served. Judge DeAnne Hilgers stayed a three-year prison term, placing Lamina on five years of supervised probation. He will also be required to register as a predatory offender for the rest of his life.
The case began in early 2020 when the child confided in a teacher about being assaulted by Lamina in his office. A subsequent medical examination revealed further disturbing details of multiple assaults that occurred at Lamina’s home and his Maplewood store, where he also held religious classes. Although Lamina was not involved in teaching the classes, the store served as a location where he interacted with vulnerable children.
The victim’s mother delivered an emotional victim impact statement, calling for the harshest sentence possible, describing the irreversible damage done to her child’s life and the betrayal of trust by Lamina, who had been entrusted to care for her children. Judge Hilgers echoed the sentiment, condemning Lamina’s actions as a selfish betrayal of trust, stating, “Stop abusing little girls. Stop ruining their lives.”
Lamina’s conviction highlights the devastating effects of his crimes on the victims and their families, with the impact of his actions likely to last a lifetime.
