Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
The Jacob Wetterling abduction
Associated Press
Minneapolis

Man wrongly named person of interest in Jacob Wetterling abduction sues

Dan Rassier
Dan Rassier
Jeff Thompson for APM Reports File

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

A Minnesota man who was wrongly named as a person of interest in the 1989 abduction of Jacob Wetterling is suing authorities.

Dan Rassier filed his federal lawsuit Wednesday. He was publicly named as a person of interest in 11-year-old Jacob's abduction in 2010 after his central Minnesota farm was searched by authorities.

Rassier maintained his innocence but wasn't cleared until last year after another man confessed and led authorities to Jacob's remains. Danny Heinrich is serving a 20-year sentence on a separate child pornography charge.

Rassier and his mother, Rita, are seeking more than $2 million in damages.

Among other things, the lawsuit against Stearns County Sheriff John Sanner and others alleges investigators obtained the search warrant for the farm illegally. A defense attorney says the investigators' actions were reasonable.