Man Charged With Criminal Sexual Conduct Following Alleged Incident in West St. Paul
Dakota County Jail Booking Photo
WEST SAINT PAUL: — A 29-year-old man has been charged with fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct after prosecutors allege he had nonconsensual sexual contact with a woman at a West St. Paul residence.
Marquis Anthony Vasquez is charged in Dakota County District Court with one count of fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct, a gross misdemeanor. The charge stems from an alleged incident during the early morning hours of Sept. 4.
According to the criminal complaint, West St. Paul police were called to a residence around 3:37 a.m. for a report of an intoxicated man who was refusing to leave.
The woman told officers she and Vasquez had returned to the residence after bar close. According to the complaint, she had made it clear beforehand that she did not want any sexual activity to occur.
Prosecutors allege Vasquez later initiated unwanted sexual contact with the woman. The complaint states she repeatedly told him to stop before the contact ended.
An adult family member who was inside the residence reported hearing the woman tell Vasquez to stop before a verbal argument occurred, according to the complaint.
Police later located Vasquez nearby on foot. The complaint alleges he initially denied being at the residence and gave differing accounts of what had occurred.
According to the complaint, Vasquez later acknowledged that sexual contact had occurred and that the woman had told him to stop at some point. Officers reported that Vasquez appeared to be under the influence while speaking with law enforcement.
Vasquez is charged with fifth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving nonconsensual sexual contact. The gross misdemeanor carries a maximum potential sentence of one year in jail and/or a $3,000 fine.
The allegations in the criminal complaint have not been proven in court. Vasquez is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.