Woman Charged With Felony Coercion After Allegedly Demanding $800 to Avoid Sexual Assault Report
Published: October 1st 2026.
DAKOTA COUNTY - A woman has been charged with felony coercion in Dakota County after authorities allege she threatened to report a man for sexual assault unless he paid her money.
Desiree Lynn Partington, 22, is charged with one count of felony coercion involving a threat to make a criminal charge, where the alleged gain or loss was between $300 and $2,500. The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine.
According to the criminal complaint, a Dakota County Sheriff’s Office deputy responded to a harassment complaint at a residence in Vermillion Township on March 19.
The man told authorities he had been communicating with Partington through text messages and Snapchat for about a month. He said he had sent her $210 on March 11 to help with expenses but denied ever paying her for sexual activity.
The complaint alleges Partington later requested additional money. When the man told her he could not afford to give her more, Partington allegedly threatened to report him for sexual abuse if he did not help her financially.
The man subsequently agreed to send $25, but Partington allegedly demanded $50, according to the complaint.
Authorities allege the man then began receiving messages from several different phone numbers demanding $800 and threatening that Partington would pursue a sexual assault allegation if he did not pay.
One message allegedly told the man he had two days to send Partington $800 or she would pursue sexual assault charges. Other messages allegedly warned that he could face criminal consequences, sex-offender registration and the loss of his job if he did not make the payment.
Another person purportedly contacting the man claimed to be attempting to reach a “settlement” before the matter went to court, according to the complaint.
Investigators allege the messages were actually sent by Partington in an effort to coerce the man into paying $800 to prevent her from making what the complaint describes as a false sexual assault report.
According to the complaint, investigators linked one of the phone numbers to an IP address associated with a Verizon account for which Partington was the subscriber. Authorities also linked another number, operated through TextMe, Inc., to Partington and determined a third number was associated with her.
The alleged conduct occurred March 18 and March 19 while the man was in Dakota County, according to the complaint.
The allegations contained in a criminal complaint are accusations. Partington is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.