Prosecutors have filed criminal charges in a sixth case involving Jory D. Wiebrand, a suspected serial rapist who police say for years preyed on women in Minneapolis' Marcy-Holmes neighborhood and Anoka County.
Serial rape suspect faces sixth charge for 2019 Minneapolis case
Authorities say that more charges are likely against Jory D. Wiebrand.
May 8, 2020 at 4:10AM
In the latest charges, filed Thursday, prosecutors allege that Wiebrand, 34, sexually assaulted a woman on Feb. 8, 2019, near a bus stop in the 600 block of SE. 8th Street. The woman told police she noticed Wiebrand walking toward her, but "didn't want to be judgmental, so she looked away," before he grabbed her from behind and dragged her into a nearby wooded area, while holding his hand over her mouth, then threw her on the ground and groped her over her clothing. He fled when a neighbor came outside, according to a criminal complaint signed by Minneapolis police Sgt. Matt Wente.
Police say that Wiebrand's DNA was found on a bloody napkin that the victim had used to clean her wounds after the attack, as well as on the victim's clothing.
Wiebrand was first charged last month in two cases from last summer, when the Ham Lake man allegedly broke in through windows and assaulted women in their homes. He was later charged with three other cases, including the suspected rape of Brooke Morath. Morath's story was featured in the Star Tribune's 2018 "Denied Justice" series, which documented systemic failures in the criminal justice system's handling of sexual assault cases.
Wiebrand made his first court appearance last month.
The most recent case charges him with first- and second-degree criminal sexual conduct and kidnapping. He remains in the Hennepin County jail, awaiting his next court date.
Bail amounts range from $30,000 to $2 million for each of the five cases against him.
No attorney was listed for the most recent charge.
Wiebrand managed to elude detection for years. Minneapolis police said he didn't emerge as a suspect until March, but have so far divulged little about what first drew their attention to him other than to say that he has been tied to the attacks through DNA evidence.
Wiebrand was arrested April 17 for last summer's burglaries and attacks.
Since 2013, he has been suspected in at least 10 sexual assaults, break-ins, prowling incidents and other assaults, several of which were mentioned in the most recent complaint: June 2, 2019; July 18, 2019; July 21, 2019; Sept. 12, 2019; Jan. 3 of this year, Feb. 18 and March 1.
More criminal charges are likely, authorities say.
Staff writer Jennifer Bjorhus contributed to this report.
The pilot was the only person inside the plane, and was not injured in the emergency landing, according to the State Patrol.
