Rochester Sex Assault Investigation Leads to Cocaine Bust, Two Charged

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Local law enforcement made a cocaine discovery while investigating a sexual assault case. 

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That’s according to arrest warrants filed in Olmsted County Court on Monday. Court records indicate authorities served the warrants on Wednesday. 

The court documents indicate the suspects are roommates of 48-year-old Bobby Escobar, who was charged last week in a sex assault case involving a cocaine transaction. 

The criminal complaint against Escobar alleges he sexually assaulted a woman who tried to put up collateral until she had money to pay him for cocaine. 

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Escobar and the victim were in a parked vehicle when the alleged sex assault took place. The woman escaped and reported the alleged assault to Rochester police. 

Roomates of Defendant in Rochester Sex Assault Case Facing Drug Charges After Cocaine Bust

As part of the sexual assault investigation, police executed a search warrant at Escobar’s home on September 4.

The raid resulted in 23-year-old Francisco Jesus Lopez-Rojas and 32-year-old Giovanny Padilla each facing a charge of first-degree drug sales. 

The complaints filed against Padilla and Lopez-Rojas say law enforcement found 84.9 grams of cocaine spread out in three baggies found throughout the home during the raid in the 2100 block of 21st St. NW in Rochester. 

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Police also found a pistol in the home, a pistol in a vehicle parked at the residence and a digital scale in the home. “Both suspects appear to be engaged in drug sales while possessing firearms,” the complaints say. 

Both Rochester men made their first court appearances on Wednesday. Conditional bail for Lopez-Rojas was set at $50,000 while Padilla’s conditional bail was set at $25,000. Padilla, who posted bail on Wednesday, immediately entered a not guilty plea. 

Lopez-Rojas is due back in court later this month and Padilla’s next court appearance is scheduled for November.