Meridian Behavioral Health: Sexual Assault Arrests at Meadow Creek Treatment Center

September 21, 2022

An assault occurred between residents at a treatment facility in Pine City and has brought criminal charges with further charges pending.

According to the criminal complaint:

The Pine County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched on July 1 to the Meadow Creek Treatment Center, an alcohol treatment facility exclusively for women, in Pine City, on the report of a sexual assault.

[Psychcrime.org note: Meadow Creek is a residential drug treatment facility owned by Meridian Behavioral Health, a Minnesota-based chain of for-profit drug and mental health treatment centers.]

Law enforcement spoke with a resident that alleged she was sexually assaulted in the shower on three occasions by two of the other residents. Jennifer Kweeta Clinton, 32, of Mora, and a second resident whose charges are still pending, were identified as the residents involved in committing the assault.

The victim stated that Clinton and the other resident forcefully committed the assault in the shower and despite the victim’s refusal, proceeded to physically restrain and assault the victim. According to the victim, this occurred two more times, and the victim was intimidated and did not fight back and said the alleged assailants threatened to kill her if she reported the assaults.

Law enforcement spoke with staff at the treatment center who stated they suspected something was going on between the victim and the alleged women but did not know what exactly was occurring, according to the complaint.

When officers spoke to Clinton, she denied any wrongdoing. However, when Clinton was informed she was under arrest, she fled on foot within the facility, according to the report.

Officers informed Clinton she would be tased for resisting arrest, which at that time Clinton stopped and complied. Clinton provided another statement at the Pine County Jail stating that she and the victim had a consensual sexual relationship and the incidents in the shower were consensual.

Felony charges against Clinton include third degree criminal sexual conduct with penetration and coercion which comes with a maximum jail sentence of 15 years and/or a $30,000 fine, fifth degree criminal sexual conduct nonconsensual penetration which comes with a maximum jail sentence of two years and/or a $10,000 fine and a misdemeanor charge for fleeing a peace officer by means other than a motor vehicle, which carries a maximum jail sentence of 90 days in jail and/or a $1,000 fine.

The second alleged assailant left the treatment facility on July 1, and charges are still pending.

Source: “Assault at treatment facility leads to arrest,” Pine City Pioneer, Jul. 27, 2022, URL: https://www.pinecountynews.com/communities/pinecity/assault-at-treatment-facility-leads-to-arrest/article_ae970cae-0de4-11ed-89fe-ab7d9d5a8b7a.html