Man Charged in Ramsey County After Allegedly Arranging to Pay 16-Year-Old for Sex
Published: June 20th, 2026
RAMSEY COUNTY MN: A 22-year-old man is facing a felony charge in Ramsey County after allegedly attempting to hire a minor for sex during an undercover sting operation.
Sage Mupope Mushegeto was arrested on June 16, 2026, following a juvenile demand suppression operation conducted by the Minnesota Human Trafficking Task Force in St. Paul. According to the criminal complaint, investigators had posted a decoy advertisement offering sexual services on websites frequently used for prostitution.
Court documents state that Mushegeto contacted the undercover number to arrange a meeting, negotiating the price down to $140 after objecting to using a condom. During the exchange, the undercover decoy explicitly texted, "ok I'm 16," to which Mushegeto allegedly replied, "Great. I need the location."
Mushegeto arrived at a predetermined sting location in St. Paul at approximately 2:30 p.m. and was immediately taken into custody. A search of his person revealed a cell phone, perfume, and personal lubricant. Law enforcement confirmed his identity by sending a text code to the number they had been messaging, which appeared on the screen of the phone in his possession.
In a post-Miranda interview with investigators, Mushegeto admitted to responding to the advertisement and agreeing to buy sex. When investigators asked if the text logs would show the decoy telling him she was 16, Mushegeto reportedly replied, "yeah sure."
Mushegeto has been charged with felony prostitution-hire or agree to hire a 16 to 17-year-old. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.
A criminal complaint contains only allegations. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.