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The Associated Press
Hastings

Guilty plea in sexting free speech challenge

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A former middle school cafeteria worker who argued the sexually explicit photos and texts she sent to a student were constitutionally protected free speech has now pleaded guilty to felony charges in Dakota County.

Forty-four-year-old Krista Ann Muccio entered the plea Thursday to one felony count of communication with a minor describing sexual conduct. Muccio was a lunchroom worker at Inver Grove Middle School and was charged in March of 2015. The St. Paul Pioneer Press says Muccio challenged the constitutionality of the state's "sexting" law, arguing the pictures and texts were free speech protected under the First Amendment.

The Minnesota Supreme Court last year reversed a state appeals court decision and ruled the law does not violate the Constitution.

Sentencing is set for April 6.