WORTHINGTON — A Worthington man is in police custody on multiple charges after a report that he had repeatedly raped a household member.
A victim reported Oct. 28 that Bryan Bautista Duarte, 24, who has multiple pending domestic violence-related offenses against the same victim, had been living in the victim's residence for about a month, in violation of a Domestic Assault No Contact Order (DANCO). Bautista Duarte had allegedly become increasingly violent during that time.
Bautista Duarte would confiscate the victim's phone every night, the criminal complaint says, and became angry on the night of Oct. 27 when the victim would not unlock the phone for him. He then began looking for his "big knife," but the victim had hidden it — anticipating that Bautista Duarte might try to use it on them — so Bautista Duarte went in search of another knife. The victim produced the "big knife" for police, and it was collected as evidence.
When Bautista Duarte returned, he allegedly told the victim he wanted to have sex, but the victim said no. Bautista Duarte insisted and reportedly raped the victim.
The victim stated that Bautista Duarte had raped them repeatedly over the previous two weeks, sometimes multiple times a day. They told police they were afraid to leave.
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The victim was taken to Sanford Worthington Medical Center to have a rape kit performed. The kit was collected as evidence.
Bautista Duarte was located later that day, arrested and charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct and third-degree criminal sexual conduct, both felonies; and misdemeanor offenses of DANCO violation and domestic assault. The first-degree criminal sexual conduct offense carries a maximum possible sentence of 30 years in prison and/or a $40,000 fine. If convicted, Bautista Duarte will be sentenced based on criminal history.
In a post-arrest interview, Bautista Duarte reportedly told law enforcement that he was unaware of the DANCO. He also denied that the sexual contact had been forced and that he owned a knife.
Bautista Duarte is being held in Nobles County Jail on bail set at $100,000 with conditions or $200,000 without.
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 .
