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WORTHINGTON — A suspect in a September criminal sexual conduct case was found and arrested Sunday.
William "Alex" Merino, 25, of Worthington, was implicated in a Sept. 7, 2020 incident in which someone broke in through a window of a local home and sexually assaulted a teenager. The victim fought him off by biting him and sticking a stylus pen in his neck, and he fled the scene.
Later that month, it was reported that Merino had gone to Wyoming, so law enforcement issued a nationwide warrant.
Merino is charged with second-degree and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct. The second-degree offense carries a maximum possible sentence of 25 years in prison and/or a $35,000 fine, and a mandatory minimum of 90 months in prison. However, if convicted, Merino will be sentenced based on criminal history.
He is being held in Nobles County Jail.
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The Southwest Crisis Center is available in our community to support and empower survivors of sexual and domestic violence. For questions about services or how you can help, contact the Southwest Crisis Center at 1-800-376-4311 or mnswcc.org .
