'Dangerous' MN Child Porn Convict Escapes Treatment Facility: Police

MANKATO, MN — The Mankato Department of Public Safety says that a "mentally ill and dangerous" patient has escaped from a local treatment center.

Jesse Nikolas Rowland, 31, is a court-committed patient at Saint Peter Regional Treatment Center, authorities said. He was on a supervised group community outing and was last seen at the River Hills Mall on Thursday afternoon, according to police.

Rowland was convicted of possessing child pornography in 2020. According to the criminal complaint in the case, police found more than 20,000 images depicting child pornography, including children as young as 4 years old.

"The public is asked to not approach Rowland and instead are encouraged to call 911 should they see him or someone matching the description," Mankato police said. "This is an active investigation and Public Safety is pursuing all leads to locate Rowland. "

An image of the man can be viewed here. Rowland was last seen wearing blue shorts, a blue hooded sweatshirt, black shoes, and glasses with a darker frame, police said.