May 18, 2026 
On April 24, professional hunter/jumper rider and musician Ki-Juan Minors pleaded guilty to a third-degree felony charge of burglary of a structure or conveyance in Palm Beach County court. The plea resolved the second of two original counts against him.
Minors, 43, was arrested in August 2025 on a sexual battery charge stemming from an incident following a night out in Miami on March 17, 2025. According to the police report, Minors and the alleged victim, identified as John Doe, were part of a group of five friends who went to Club Space in Miami on March 16.
Doe said that he lost consciousness after consuming a few alcoholic drinks, including a shot he said was given to him by Minors, and that he did not remember arriving home or getting into bed. He allegedly woke up in the early morning hours of March 17 to find Minors sexually assaulting him. (A full summary of John Doe’s statement can be read here.)
Minors was released on bail on August 28. His case had been progressing through the judicial system for approximately eight months.
According to the court event form, the prosecutor’s office entered a nolle prosse (a formal notice of abandonment) on the first count, dropping the charge of sexual battery of a victim 18 years of age or older. Minors then pleaded guilty to the second charge—burglary of a structure or conveyance—and was adjudicated guilty.
Minors did not respond to a request for comment from Horse Network.
Understanding the burglary charge
In Florida, an 810.02 “burglary” of a structure or conveyance means:
- Entering a dwelling, structure, or conveyance with the intent to commit an offense therein, unless the premises are open to the public or the defendant is licensed or invited to enter; or
- Notwithstanding a licensed or invited entry, remaining in a dwelling, structure, or conveyance:
- Surreptitiously with the intent to commit an offense;
- After permission to remain has been withdrawn, with the intent to commit an offense; or
- To commit or attempt to commit a forcible felony, as defined in s. 776.08.
Forcible felony includes: “Treason; murder; manslaughter; sexual battery; carjacking; home-invasion robbery; robbery; burglary; arson; kidnapping; aggravated assault; aggravated battery; aggravated stalking; aircraft piracy; unlawful throwing, placing, or discharging of a destructive device or bomb; and any other felony which involves the use or threat of physical force or violence against any individual.”
Prosecutor explains reduced charge
When asked why the charge of sexual battery was reduced to third-degree burglary, Public Information Officer Marc Freeman for the Office of State Attorney Alexcia Cox provided the following statement:
“The decision in this case was made after a thorough and careful review by experienced prosecutors.
“Several factors can affect the outcome of a case and the sentence imposed, including the strength of the evidence, victim/witness cooperation, prior criminal history, and legal limitations set by statute or sentencing guidelines.”
Sentence and conditions
As a result of this conviction, Minors has been sentenced to:
- three years probation
- three days in the Palm Beach County Jail (with credit for three days time served)
- $618 in criminal court costs and fines
He is required to adhere to special conditions, including providing DNA samples and enrolling in and completing a psycho sexual evaluation and any recommended treatment within 30 days of his plea.
In addition, Minors is not allowed to have contact with the victims, including the John Doe in this case, who was present for Minors’ sentencing hearing on Zoom and gave a victim impact statement. Minors is not allowed to possess or consume alcohol or drugs without a valid prescription, and is subject to random alcohol and drug testing.
SafeSport and USEF implications
On December 24, 2025, the U.S. Center for Safe Sport’s Centralized Disciplinary Database issued Restrictions against Minors for allegations of misconduct. Those include: “no unsupervised coaching/training, no contact directive(s).”
The SafeSport investigation is still ongoing. However, if the Restrictions are lifted, a criminal conviction of this nature is unlikely to affect Minors’ ability to compete or train at USEF-sanctioned events.
“Under the current rules, participation as a coach or rider at a USEF licensed competition would not be affected by a nonviolent burglary conviction unless it involved some extenuating circumstances or the individual served in an official capacity for USEF,” US Equestrian said in a statement to Horse Network.
According to USEF, “extenuating circumstances” can include crimes involving violence, minors, drug trafficking, etc. These cases are decided jointly by USEF’s Regulations and Legal departments.
“It’s always helpful to us if people report information they know about a criminal situation which may reflect extenuating circumstances we should be examining,” US Equestrian advised.
However, a convicted felon’s participation in an official capacity within USEF—such as a competition manager, licensed official, or contractor providing substantial services—would likely be impacted. USEF notes that background checks for these positions are required under the USEF Safe Sport Policy.
The U.S. Center for SafeSport was created to address the issue of abuse in sport. It works in conjunction with US Equestrian to enforce the SafeSport Code and the Federal Safe Sport Act, created in response to the Larry Nassar/U.S. Gymnastics case in 2017. The aim of both the Code and the Safe Sport Act is to protect athletes across all Olympic and amateur sporting disciplines from harm or abuse.
If you have a reasonable suspicion of sexual misconduct, make a report electronically to the U.S. Center for SafeSport or call (720) 531-0340.
For more information on abuse in horse sport and what you can do about it, visit WeRideTogether.today
Need to talk? The specialized counselors at Athlete Helpline provide crisis intervention, emotional support, connection to resources and reporting guidance Monday through Friday, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific Time. Call or text 1-888-279-1026.
