A 22-year-old man with a teardrop tattoo on his face has been taken into custody, and 11 illegal immigrants may face deportation following a police search at the suspected location of a gang rape in Bemidji, Minnesota.
The Bemidji Police Department released a statement on Thursday, stating that they received an assault complaint on September 23 from the emergency department of Sanford Bemidji Medical Center. The complaint came from an 11-year-old girl who had been brought to the clinic with severe injuries, indicating that she had been sexually assaulted.
After speaking with the adults who brought the girl to the emergency department, the police were able to identify several possible addresses where the alleged rape might have taken place. Eventually, detectives and other law enforcement officials determined that the house at 1821 America Court NW in Bemidji was where the girl had been victimized.
According to Alpha News, the victim informed officials that she had been under the care of a drunken woman she referred to as "auntie," later identified as Verna Fairbanks. The victim stated that Fairbanks wanted to go to a party and coerced her into getting into a car with "Mexican guys." During the drive to 1821 America Court NW, a bag was placed over their heads.
Charging documents reveal that upon arrival at the destination, the victim was stripped, tied up in a room with two other girls, and forced to consume alcohol by Fairbanks. Fairbanks then allegedly tied a rope around the 11-year-old girl's neck, causing her to bleed.
Throughout the horrifying ordeal, one of the other female victims was reportedly rendered unconscious and covered in blood before being dumped in a closet. The 11-year-old girl was allegedly raped by four Mexican men, one of whom was identified as "Panda" and had multiple tattoos, including a teardrop on his face, which often signifies involvement in criminal activity or time spent in prison.
When another victim attempted to help the 11-year-old escape by untying her, the charging documents suggest that "Panda" threw her down the stairs.
During the execution of a search warrant at the end of last month, police found 22-year-old Oscar Ernesto Luna inside the house. Police suspect that Luna and "Panda" are the same person, as Luna's unique facial tattoos and piercings match the victim's description.
Luna was arrested on a warrant from Hennepin County and charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct, which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison. Luna, who had previously been charged with a DUI in July, was placed in Beltrami County Jail on September 26. The jail has confirmed that Luna is specifically charged with the rape of a minor.
Luna consented to providing a DNA sample to the police, claimed to be an American, and denied any wrongdoing.
During the search of the house, police also discovered several other individuals, eleven of whom were taken into custody by U.S. Border Patrol for processing as illegal immigrants.
Bemidji Police Chief Mike Mastin stated that no additional arrests have been made in connection with the case, and he could not provide information on whether the police are searching for more suspects, as it is an ongoing investigation.
Bemidji Police Captain David LaZella mentioned that the other victims have not yet been identified.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, a total of 12,659 illegal immigrants with one or more previous criminal convictions have been arrested so far this fiscal year. Among these individuals, 253 have been convicted of sexual offenses, 24 of murder, and 1,049 of assault, battery, and/or domestic violence.
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