ST PAUL, Minn. — An East St. Louis man has admitted to killing his girlfriend and repeatedly raping her teenage cousin as part of a plea deal that will put him in prison for 30 years.
Ramsey County prosecutors announced the plea from 34-year-old Ivan Walker Friday. Investigators say Walker strangled 39-year-old Shana Branch to death on July 23, 2018, and then sexually assaulted her 16-year-old cousin three separate times before the teen was able to convince him to leave the home. She then called authorities.
As part of his plea, Walker pleaded guilty to second degree unintentional murder, and first degree criminal sexual assault. Prosecutors agreed to drop kidnapping charges against him. Walker will serve a 30-year-prison sentence, register for life as a predatory offender, and pay restitution to surviving family members.
Walker admitted to strangling Branch to death and then placing a straw with traces of cocaine in her nose to make it appear as though she had died of an overdose. He also admitted to the rape of the 16 year-old victim.
Although the terms have been decided, Walker will be officially sentenced April 18.
