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Daniel Drill-Mellum was a former University of Minnesota student. His name became infamous due to his two criminal sexual conduct cases that happened in 2014. Both cases happened in the context of the college Greek life environment. His case got an update because of his release from jail in 2020 and returning to his hometown.
The second episode of Houses of Horror: Secrets of College Greek Life sheds light on the case and exposes the r*pe culture. University of Minnesota junior Abby Honold was sexually assaulted during a tailgate party off campus.
When she pressed charges against the crime, she reported being shunned from Greek life. The series premiered on August 12, 2024.
Daniel Drill-Mellum's criminal history and conviction
Daniel Drill-Mellum was an undergraduate student at Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota, in 2014, and he was actively involved in the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity.
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At the University, he committed two distinct incidents of sexual assault that culminated in his conviction and serving a prison term.
The first incident was on October 21, 2014, when he sexually assaulted a lady at a party in his fraternity house. During the second incident, on November 8, 2014, he had invited this lady to his apartment.
This lady reported to the police immediately and also went for medical check-ups but, both times, Drill-Mellum was not charged.
The case, after being dismissed at first, began to get some traction and he was eventually charged. By that stage, he had moved to Australia to work and study. At 5:15 am on December 24, 2015, Drill-Mellum landed at the Minneapolis-St. Paul airport and was arrested.
He later pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct stemming from the attacks in August 2016 and was ultimately sentenced to more than six years in prison.
Release of Daniel Drill-Mellum and return to Carver County
Daniel Drill-Mellum was eventually released on parole from prison on September 29, 2020. He has been back in Carver County, and up-to-date, that is where he resides.
Carver County Country Sheriff's Office indicates that Drill-Mellum is a level 3 predatory offender who lives near Highway 7 and County Road 155 in Watertown Township.
The level 3 designation means that Drill-Mellum is considered a high risk of offending again, with his return to the community being of public concern. Faced with no other choice but to do so by law, the Carver County Sheriff's Office notified its residents about the arrival of Drill-Mellum in the city.
While assuring the community that they are open if there are questions and information is to be provided, further, the latter issued a brief video that explains the Sheriff's Office's actions were providing a way for sharing other thoughts and comments by sending them through e-mail or call.
Such transparency and communication bells out what is important that every reentered offender reenters society. Having been convicted of a crime and possessing a potential threat.
The impact of Drill-Mellum's crimes and public reaction
The crimes of Daniel Drill-Mellum have wreaked havoc on his victims and the greater community. The victim impact statements read in court at his trial described life-shattering psychological trauma incurred by those severely affected.
One of the victims described that she hardly slept for weeks, horrible nightmares haunted her, and she lived in constant fear since the assault.
Daniel Drill-Mellum's return to Carver County is easily understood to be of concern for the residents, all the more so because he is a level 3 offender. Community reactions are mostly available with people fearing his presence and others looking towards vigilance and awareness.
The best efforts put in by the Carver County Sheriff's Office are to allay the fears of the community by indicating that they are keeping a close eye on him and encouraging the residents to be informed and report any suspicious activity by Drill-Mellum.
The case of Daniel Drill-Mellum is a reminder of how evil can hide in the safest of locations, like college campuses and fraternities. As Drill-Mellum goes on living his life in Carver County, it is a reminder of warning of the damage sexual violence can cause, and to the immense complications criminal justice and rehabilitation have undergone.
