WORTHINGTON — After three days of testimony, a Nobles County jury convicted Isaias De la Cruz-Soto, 25, of Worthington, of criminal sexual conduct.
De la Cruz-Soto was arrested in October. A victim said he had sexually assaulted them, tying them up and covering their mouth and then preventing them from calling 9-1-1. Neighbors called the police when they heard the victim screaming.
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.
Many witnesses testified during the trial. The jury deliberated for about two and a half hours April 2 before convicting De la Cruz-Soto of all six counts. He will be sentenced at a later date.
"The Nobles County Attorney's Office will continue to aggressively pursue justice for victims of sexual violence," wrote Nobles County Attorney Joseph Sanow in a press release Friday. "I thank the Southwest Crisis Center for providing crucial advocacy services to the victim. I also thank the Worthington Police Department, the MN BCA, and Mr. (Braden) Hoefert for their work on this case."
