CARLTON, Minn. — Charges have been dismissed against a former Minnesota Sex Offender Program psychologist accused of sexually assaulting two clients in Moose Lake.

The death of a “critical witness” left the prosecution unable to move forward with the case against Michelle Dawn Brownfield, according to  Carlton County Chief Deputy Attorney Jeff Boucher.

Brownfield, 41, of Duluth, had been set to appear in court this week and was scheduled to face an April 30 jury trial on two felony counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct.

The charges stemmed from allegations that the psychologist maintained inappropriate relationships with two men she was assigned to treat at MSOP in Moose Lake. MSOP is a secure state facility that serves clients committed as sexually dangerous or with sexually psychopathic personalities.

Boucher explained to the Duluth News Tribune that the sister of one of the alleged victims died. She was described in the criminal complaint as the “go-between” for Brownfield to communicate with the client, as seen in numerous text messages retrieved by investigators.

“(Her) testimony was necessary to develop critical aspects of the case,” Boucher said. “Without her presence, the available admissible evidence was insufficient to continue to trial.”

The charges against Brownfield had been pending for nearly three years as several pretrial issues were litigated, including the veracity of a search warrant and access to confidential medical and mental health records.

The complaint said Brownfield developed a relationship with one victim after he was referred to her in 2016. They allegedly engaged in sexual activity in the assessment room at MSOP before he was transferred to a Minnesota Department of Corrections facility from 2017-19.

Authorities said Brownfield used the client’s sister to communicate during that time. They continued to talk when he returned to MSOP, but the sexual activity did not resume, according to the complaint.

While investigating, officers said they learned of an illicit relationship between Brownfield and a second MSOP client that began in the fall of 2017. The man told authorities he was aware of her relationship with the other victim and began discussing it with Brownfield.

The client and psychologist then initiated their own sexual contact in the assessment room in February 2018, later having sex in the polygraph room, according to the complaint.

Investigators said they recovered text messages sent from Brownfield to the first victim’s sister between October 2018 and August 2020. She reportedly expressed “strong romantic feelings” and also referenced a relationship with another person consistent with the allegations involving the second client.

The complaint added that Brownfield referenced both victims by initials in the text messages and continued communication even after being contacted by the Moose Lake Police Department. Investigators wrote that a review of her phone turned up a “great deal” of graphic material, including sexually explicit photos that corroborated a victim statement regarding a body piercing.

It is illegal under Minnesota law for any employee of a correctional system or secure treatment facility to engage in sexual activity with a resident who is under the institution’s supervision. Consent is not a defense.

Brownfield in 2021 entered into a stipulation with the Minnesota Board of Psychology to cease practice pending further administrative proceedings. That order remains in effect.

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