WORTHINGTON ― A violent altercation earlier this week resulted in the arrest of a local man accused of criminal sexual conduct.
Police responded early Sunday morning to a report that a woman was screaming outside a Worthington residence. They were informed while en route that a 9-1-1 call had just come through from the same residence.
Upon arriving at the scene, officers noted that at the front entrance, the glass storm door was broken and the main door was covered in blood. Isaias De La Cruz-Soto, 25, of Worthington, answered the door, and he was also covered in blood, wearing a makeshift bandage on his arm.
In the background, another person "appeared to be frantic, covered in blood and was pointing at (De La Cruz-Soto)," according to the criminal complaint. Inside the residence, officers observed blood also covering the living room and kitchen floors. An ambulance arrived to transport De La Cruz-Soto to the hospital, while police interviewed the other person, identified as the victim.
The victim was "shaking, crying and was having difficulty breathing steadily," but was able to explain their account of what had happened.
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A rape kit was later done on the victim at the hospital and taken into evidence. De La Cruz-Soto's injuries, meanwhile, were serious enough that he had to be airlifted to Sioux Falls, South Dakota for surgery, after which he was released without the hospital notifying Worthington police.
The next day, police reported, the victim called 9-1-1 and said De La Cruz-Soto was back and was going to kill the victim. De La Cruz-Soto was outside near the house, and police arrested him.
De La Cruz-Soto was charged with first-degree criminal sexual conduct (indicating penetration and fear of great bodily harm) and third-degree criminal sexual conduct (denoting force or coercion), threats of violence and false imprisonment, all felonies; gross misdemeanor interfering with a 9-1-1 call; and misdemeanor domestic assault. First-degree criminal sexual conduct carries a maximum possible sentence of 30 years in prison and/or a $40,000 fine. If he's convicted, De La Cruz-Soto will be sentenced based on criminal history.
De La Cruz-Soto was interviewed by law enforcement, and he reportedly stated that it was actually the victim who was trying to have sexual relations and that he was resisting.
De La Cruz-Soto is in custody at the Nobles County Jail on bail set at $30,000 with conditions or $60,000 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 .
