Muslim Student Case: Apple Valley Guard Cleared Of Wrongdoing

APPLE VALLEY, MN — An independent investigation has cleared a south metro high school security guard of all wrongdoing following allegations of excessive use of force. In June, the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN) called for an investigation into alleged use of excessive force by a security guard and resource officer at Apple Valley High School.

District 196 subsequently hired an independent investigator to review the incident. The outside investigation has since cleared the guard, Jason Rieck, "of all wrongdoing," a spokesperson for the district told Patch in an email. Rieck remains an employee of District 196 and has no discipline in his record.

On June 1, a female Muslim student at Apple Valley High School was verbally harassed by a male student and called an “f------ terrorist,” according to CAIR-MN. The organization also claimed that school security guard then allegedly used physical force against the Muslim student. The Muslim student was later arrested, CAIR-MN said.

Apple Valley police Capt. Nick Francis told the Pioneer Press that police have recommended charges against the student. Rieck’s attorney, Phil Villaume, told the newspaper that Rieck got a bloody nose in the incident because the student resisted and fought him.

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