ISP troopers honored for traffic stop that helped uncover abuse of more than 120 children
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IDAHO FALLS — It began as a routine traffic stop in Idaho Falls that led to the arrest of the man known as Minnesota’s worst pedophile.
Aaron Hjermstad sexually abused more than 120 children and five years ago, while awaiting sentencing in Minnesota, he was pulled over in Idaho Falls by Idaho State Police Trooper Jared Shively.
Shively and Idaho State Police Master Cpl. Kenneth Peeples were honored this month by Idaho State Police Col. Bill Gardiner for their role in apprehending Hjermstad.
The traffic stop happened on Nov. 30, 2021, after Shively observed a vehicle committing traffic violations while exiting Interstate 15 in Idaho Falls. Hjermstad was behind the wheel.
During the stop, the trooper noticed the odor of marijuana and learned Hjermstad was traveling across the country in a Minnesota dealer loaner vehicle. Hjermstad was under supervision for sex crimes and left Minnesota without the required permission.
Recognizing something wasn’t right, Shively and Pepples detained Hjermstad while they contacted Minnesota authorities to verify his status.
A subsequent search of the vehicle uncovered 27 SD cards, two laptops, flash drives, a camera, court documents and a list containing 201 names.
The discovery would eventually lead to a much larger investigation into Hjermstad’s crimes.
“None of that would have happened had these two troopers not been on their game that day and doing what was important at the time,” Gardiner said at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new ISP District 6 headquarters on Nov. 4.
The investigation continued after Hjermstad’s arrest. The troopers obtained an Idaho search warrant for the electronic evidence and submitted the devices and digital media for forensic examination.
That evidence became central to an investigation involving more than 120 children and contributed to additional criminal charges and the eventual life sentences imposed on Hjermstad.
“The eventual outcome for this investigation was extraordinary, but the police work that led to it was fundamental,” Gardiner stated. “You observed what was occurring, asked the next question, recognized when the circumstances did not fit, and continued the investigation and followed through.”
Who is Aaron Hjermstad?
Hjermstad was initially convicted in 2021 of sexually abusing four young boys while working as a teacher and basketball coach at Excell Academy in Brooklyn Park and Best Academy in Minneapolis. He also volunteered as a coach at Hospitality House, a nonprofit providing athletic programs for children.
While awaiting sentencing in those cases, Hjermstad left Minnesota and was stopped in Idaho Falls.
Investigators believe he was trying to avoid the sentencing, where he would be taken into custody and sent to prison.
A search of his rental vehicle revealed digital evidence documenting the sexual abuse of more than 100 young boys at various locations, including his home.
In November 2021, Hjermstad was found guilty of multiple criminal sexual conduct charges in four separate cases. However, the investigation that began with the Idaho traffic stop uncovered dozens of additional victims and led to further criminal charges.
Hjermstad ultimately received 12 life sentences.
Shively has since left Idaho State Police, but Gardiner said he and Peeples are deserving of recognition.
Watch Idaho State Police dashcam video of the arrest here: