By Dave Geist
On August 18, 2025, a pre-trial hearing in the case of Andrew Deyette, former resident of Finland, MN, took place via Zoom from the Lake County Courthouse in Two Harbors with District Court Judge Stephen B. Hanke presiding. A trial date for Deyette was set for February 3, 2026.
Deyette has been charged with a total of eight gross misdemeanors from two separate instances that took place in 2023 and 2024. Four of the charges are for indecent exposure in the presence of a minor under sixteen. The remaining four charges are for lewd exhibition.
The resolution of the case has been slow due to continuances granted to the defense to await the outcome of a case before the Minnesota Supreme Court involving the definition of the word “lewd” in the Minnesota statute on indecent exposure. The decision in that case led Mr. Deyette’s attorney to file a motion to dismiss the charges against Mr. Deyette. On July 22, Judge Hanke denied the motion to dismiss, allowing the case to continue.
