MAPLE GROVE, Minn. — A former Columbia Heights teacher is facing several felony criminal sexual charges for allegedly assaulting a former student and filming it.
According to the criminal complaint, Daniel Laskowski, 32, had a "close personal relationship" with a former student, whom he had also coached. The complaint states that Laskowski reached out to the 15-year-old via Snapchat in the summer of 2018, and they began spending time together at Laskowski's home.
The teenager told authorities that Laskowski told him they could make a lot of money together by filming a pornographic video. According to the complaint, Laskowski told the teen that he had contacts in Europe who would buy the video for $250,000.
The teen agreed to meet Laskowski and shot a vido in which Laskowski performed oral sex on him, according to the complaint. Laskowski then allegedly told the teen that his contacts wouldn't accept the video and had to shoot another one.
After the second video was not "accepted," the charges allege that Laskowski reached out in January of 2019, trying to convince the teen to make another video. At this point the teen and his mother called the police.
On Jan. 12, the teen had a Snapchat conversation with Laskowski in front of police, in which Laskowski tried to convince him again and mentioned the other videos.
Police say they are aware of other victims who have been contacted by Laskowski about making pornographic videos. They are investigating these other allegations as well.
Maple Grove police say Laskowski was a sixth-grade teacher and football coach at Columbia Heights.
He was investigated by Columbia Heights Public Schools for an allegation of an "inappropriate relationship" with a former student after the student had transferred to another school, according to the Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board. The Board says Laskowski resigned in November of 2017, during that investigation.
The Board also revoked his license in July of 2018, saying the texts he exchanged with the student named in the investigation showed "a serious lack of judgment ... and a violation of appropriate boundaries between a teacher and a minor."
Laskowski is charged with four felony counts: two of first-degree criminal sexual conduct with a victim between the ages of 13-15, and two counts of using minors in a pornographic work.