Inver Grove Heights Lunch Lady Pleads Guilty To Sexting Teen

DAKOTA COUNTY, MN — Krista Ann Muccio, 44, of Inver Grove Heights, has plead guilty to one count of communication with a minor describing sexual conduct — a felony — in connection with sending "inappropriate photographs" and explicit messages to a 15-year-old boy.

At the time of the incident, Muccio worked as a lunchroom assistant at Inver Grove Heights Middle School.

On Nov. 29, 2014, officers spoke with a father who reported finding "inappropriate photographs" on his son’s iPad, according to the criminal complaint. The images were sent over Instagram from "Spartanmom8300," police said. Authorities later linked the Spartanmom8300 account to Muccio.

This case was the subject of a pre-trial appeal in which Muccio — through her attorney — challenged the constitutionality of the state's sexting law via the First Amendment. On March 8, 2017, the Minnesota Supreme Court ruled the law did not violate the Constitution.

"This statute was enacted for the important purpose of prohibiting sexually explicit speech directed at a child that is intended to cause sexual arousal," Dakota Country Attorney James Backstrom said in a statement. "We are pleased to bring Krista Muccio to justice for violating this law."

Judge Kathryn Messerich ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set the sentencing for April 6.

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