Minneapolis Woman Kelly Boylan Sentenced After Four-Day Trial

Kelly Boylan, 56, of Minneapolis, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for sexually abusing a subordinate, according to a U.S. District Court filing. The sentencing followed a four-day trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, where a jury convicted Boylan of multiple counts of sexual misconduct. Judge Wesley L. Hsu imposed the sentence on April 24, 2026, after deliberating on the case.

The prosecution alleged that Boylan, a former supervisor at a Minnesota-based organization, engaged in repeated sexual acts with a junior employee between 2022 and 2024. Court documents obtained by News Directory 3 indicate that the victim reported the abuse to internal authorities in 2024, leading to a criminal investigation by federal agents. A trial date was set after the defendant pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual abuse and coercion.

During the trial, the prosecution presented testimony from the victim, along with email records and workplace surveillance footage, according to a court transcript. The defense argued that the relationship between Boylan and the victim was consensual, but the jury rejected this claim. The verdict was reached after 12 hours of deliberation, with the judge noting that the evidence "clearly established a pattern of predatory behavior."

Boylan’s sentencing hearing included a victim impact statement from the employee, who described the psychological trauma caused by the abuse. The statement, filed with the court, detailed how the victim’s career and personal life were destabilized by the incident. Federal prosecutors recommended a 36-month sentence, citing the severity of the charges and the defendant’s position of power over the victim.

The case has drawn attention to workplace harassment protocols in Minnesota. Local labor advocates cited the case as an example of how power imbalances can enable misconduct. "This sentencing sends a clear message that abuse of authority will not be tolerated," said Sarah Lin, a spokesperson for the Minnesota Workers’ Rights Coalition.

Boylan, who has not publicly commented on the case, is scheduled to report to a federal prison in August 2026. His attorney, Michael Torres, declined to comment on the verdict but stated that the family is "disappointed" with the outcome.

The case is one of several recent federal prosecutions targeting workplace sexual misconduct in the Midwest. In 2025, a similar case in Michigan resulted in a 12-month sentence for a corporate executive convicted of sexual harassment. Legal experts note that federal courts have increasingly prioritized such cases under updated guidelines from the Department of Justice.

No further details about Boylan’s employment history or the specific organization involved were disclosed in court records. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota confirmed the sentencing but did not provide additional context.

Victims of workplace abuse are encouraged to contact the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or local legal aid organizations for assistance. The EEOC’s Minneapolis office reported a 15% increase in sexual harassment complaints in 2025 compared to the previous year.

Boylan’s case underscores the challenges of prosecuting abuse in hierarchical workplaces, where victims often face retaliation or skepticism. A 2024 study by the University of Minnesota’s School of Law found that 68% of workplace sexual misconduct cases involve a power dynamic between the perpetrator and the victim.

The sentencing has also prompted calls for stricter enforcement of anti-harassment policies. State Representative Diane Nguyen (D-Minneapolis) introduced a bill in 2026 requiring all Minnesota businesses with 50 or more employees to conduct annual sexual harassment training. The legislation is pending in the state Senate.

No appeals have been filed in the case as of July 2026. Federal prison terms for sexual abuse offenses typically include mandatory counseling and restrictions on future employment in roles involving vulnerable populations.

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This article is based on court records, federal filings, and statements from official sources. Additional details about the case are subject to ongoing legal proceedings.