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Ex-University of Minnesota student who raped 2 women released from prison Tuesday

By FOX 9 Staff
Updated  September 29, 2020 3:11pm CDT
Crime and Public Safety
FOX 9
Daniel Drill-Mellum article

Daniel Drill-Mellum, 27. (Minnesota Department of Corrections / FOX 9)

(FOX 9) - Daniel Drill-Mellum, the former University of Minnesota student who pleaded guilty to raping two women during college parties in 2014, was released from prison Tuesday. 

The 27-year-old is now under “Intensive Supervised Release,” according to the Minnesota Department of Corrections website. The Carver County Sheriff’s Office sent out a level three predatory offender bulletin to residents earlier this month alerting them of his plans to move in with family in Watertown after his release from prison. 

Abby Honold statement

Abby Honold's statement on the release of her rapist, Daniel Drill-Mellum. (Abby Honold / FOX 9)

Abby Honold, one of Drill-Mellum’s victims and an advocate for sexual assault investigation reform, shared a statement on social media Monday—one day before his release from prison. 

Abby Honold statement

Abby Honold's statement on the release of her rapist, Daniel Drill-Mellum. (Abby Honold / FOX 9)

Honold said she was choosing to share the information in the statement publicly “because eventually, when Daniel chooses again to harm someone, I want you to know exactly how preventable it was.”

Abby Honold statement

Abby Honold's statement on the release of her rapist, Daniel Drill-Mellum. (Abby Honold / FOX 9)

Honold had previously warned the public about Drill-Mellum’s upcoming release in an interview with FOX 9 earlier this month, saying she believes he is still a danger to women. 

Advocate for sex assault investigation reform discusses her work ahead of rapist’s prison release

Abby Honold has made it her mission to ensure victims of sexual assault are treated more humanely by police investigators and her efforts aren’t stopping now that the man who raped her, Daniel Drill-Mellum, is scheduled to be released from prison in less than two weeks.

Drill-Mellum pleaded guilty to two counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct in 2016. He was sentenced to 74 months in prison and required to register as a sex offender for the rest of his life.