Man Pleads Guilty to Rape, Attempted Murder in Woodbury Hostage Standoff

Demetrius Santrell Ballinger will spend at least 24 years in prison.

Kris Janisch, Patch Staff

Posted Thu, Jun 13, 2013 at 3:46 pm CT|Updated Thu, Jun 13, 2013 at 4:50 pm CT

Demetrius Santrell Ballinger, who was charged with rape and attempted murder following an August 2012 hostage standoff at the Red Roof Inn in Woodbury, has pleaded guilty to five felony counts.

He will spend at least 24 years in prison, according to the Star Tribune.

Ballinger, 26, of Stillwater, was initially charged with 27 felonies stemming from the Aug. 31 hostage standoff at the motel.

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He raped four teenage girls at gunpoint in a motel room and, according to a Pioneer Press report, Ballinger in court Thursday admitted that he shot at a man who tried to escape and was shot and killed by police during the incident. The officers involved were later cleared.

As part of a plea deal, the other 22 counts against him will be dismissed.

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“Everybody feels this agreement was fair and just,” public defender Ahren Johnson told the Pioneer Press.

Ballinger will likely be sentenced to approximately 36 years in prison, according to a release from the Washington County Attorney's Office. Sentencing will take place before Washington County District Judge Ellen Maas on Oct. 7.

“We are pleased to be able to bring some closure for the victims of this defendant’s heinous acts. While he will be serving a huge amount of time in prison, it cannot begin to recompense the harm he has caused,” Washington County Attorney Pete Orput said in a statement.

A Washington County team eventually got Ballinger to release the hostages after a four-hour standoff, and Woodbury Det. Chris Rheault was later honored for his efforts.

Ballinger said he took drugs before the party at the Red Roof Inn but was aware of what he was doing, according to the Pioneer Press.

The incident let to public outcry in Woodbury regarding criminal activity at the motel, and police have since been working with Red Roof Inn management.