WORTHINGTON — An Iowa man will appear in court this week on charges that he raped a woman last year in Worthington.
Worthington police received a report in November 2020 that a child born in Fort Dodge, Iowa, had been conceived as a result of a rape that allegedly occurred in Worthington about a year ago. The victim told law enforcement that on Feb. 15, 2020, Luis Chilel Ramirez, 25, of Sioux CIty, Iowa, had picked up the victim and driven her to a Worthington park near the lake. She said that he kept asking to have sex, she said no, and after a few failed attempts to persuade her, he then raped her.
She further explained that after the alleged rape, Chilel Ramirez had apologized and then taken her home. When she later found out she was pregnant, she told Chilel Ramirez, and he reportedly advised her to get an abortion. She added that Chilel Ramirez is married and has children.
Worthington police called Chilel Ramirez and asked him about the incident. Chilel Ramirez reportedly denied that he had a sexual relationship with the victim, adding that she might claim they had had sex, but he doesn't remember because he was drunk at the time. He also told police that if the child is his, he would take care of it.
Chilel Ramirez was served with a court summons on the felony charges of first- and third-degree criminal sexual conduct. First-degree criminal sexual conduct carries a maximum possible sentence of 30 years in prison and/or a $40,000 fine, but if convicted, Chilel Ramirez will be sentenced based on criminal history.
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His first court appearance is scheduled for Thursday afternoon.
Because Chilel Ramirez was not arrested or booked into jail, there is no mugshot available.
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 .
