St. Paul man pleads guilty to sexually abusing 13-year-old girl

A St. Paul man admitted Monday that he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl in Maplewood last year and then solicited her 14-year-old friend for sex with the promise of money.

Xang Vang, 38, pleaded guilty in Ramsey County District Court to two counts of an amended criminal complaint filed Monday: first-degree sexual abuse and engaging in electronic communications describing sexual conduct with a child.

As part of a plea agreement, Vang will be sentenced to up to 30 years probation, probation, and will receive up to one year in prison.

The verdict is scheduled for August 28.

Vang’s attorney, Elizabeth Duel, told Judge Adam Yang in court on Monday that prosecutors had agreed not to file charges against Vang in connection with the alleged sexual abuse of a second 13-year-old girl, identified as Victim A in the amended indictment.

A third charge against Vang – inciting a child to engage in sexual acts – was also dropped when the verdict was announced.

Vang has been free on $250,000 bail since April 21, 2023, the date the original charges were filed.

Arrested in a park

According to the amended complaint, on April 18, 2023, Maplewood Police received a tip about a man communicating via email and Snapchat with a 14-year-old girl, identified as Victim B, and attempting to coerce sex with her. He was identified as Vang.

Police received a report that Vang had previously sexually abused a 13-year-old girl behind a middle school after also communicating with her via email and Snapchat.

The girl, identified as Victim C, was interviewed at the Midwest Children’s Resource Center and stated that the assault occurred between December 1, 2022 and January 31, 2023. She said Vang gave her edible marijuana products after the assault.