Goodhue County Child Sex Sting Results in Police Chase, Arrest of Rochester Man

Red Wing, MN (KROC-AM News)- A child exploitation operation in Goodhue County led to the arrest of a Rochester man. 

See Also: 100mph Driver Accused of Fleeing Law Enforcement on Busy Rochester Streets 

That’s according to a news release issued Monday afternoon by the Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office. 

Law enforcement arrested the Rochester man after he allegedly fled Goodhue County deputies. 

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Rochester Man Arrested After Fleeing Location of Meeting for Sexual Encounter With Fake 13-Year-Old Girl

The news release says he was taken into custody on September 3. A Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office investigator was posing as a 13-year-old girl online as part of what the news release describes as a “proactive undercover operation aimed at protecting children from exploitation.” 

A man, identified as 24-year-old Josef Brace, began messaging the account and offered to pay the fake teen for sexual acts.

The news release says he arranged to meet the fake teen at a location in Wanamingo, which is about 30 miles northwest of Rochester.

Deputies attempted to take Brace into custody at the meeting location, however he fled the scene, the news release says. 

Deputies pursued his vehicle for a short time but called it off due to public safety concerns, authorities say. Rochester police arrested Brace at a later time on suspicion of solicitation of a minor, prostitution of a minor, and fleeing law enforcement. 

"This initiative has been years in the making. We are fully committed to identifying, investigating, and arresting individuals who seek to exploit vulnerable children. The safety of our youth remains our top priority," said Goodhue County Sheriff Marty Kelly. 

Brace has made his first court appearance has since posted his $500,000 bail. He is due back in court next month.