Rochester Man Charged With Kidnapping, Assault, Sexual Assault

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Bail has been set at $500,000 for a Rochester man facing kidnapping and sexual assault charges.

Thirty-two-year-old Seth Tyler Sorenson was arraigned today in Olmsted County Court on charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, kidnapping, felony domestic assault by strangulation, and two counts of misdemeanor domestic assault. According to the criminal complaint, the charges are connected to a violent domestic incident that occurred Wednesday night and continued into Thursday.

Brutal Assault Reported After Victim Arrived at ER

The court document says a Rochester police officer on duty at the St. Marys Hospital Emergency Department was told on the evening of June 25 that a possible victim of sexual assault was present at the facility. The criminal complaint says the woman told the officer she had been beaten and sexually assaulted by her live-in boyfriend, who had been physically abusive to her in the past.

Woman Described Attack in Horrific Detail

The charges allege that Sorenson became violent after she declined his request to engage in sexual activity. The victim told investigators that Sorenson started "going crazy" and began beating her before he tied her legs together and allegedly told her, "You're not going anywhere. Whether you live or die tonight is up to me."

Threatened to Kill Her and Himself

The criminal complaint says the victim described a situation in which Sorenson continued physically assaulting and threatening her while also threatening to kill himself. At one point, she stated that Sorenson got a knife, gave it to her, and instructed her to kill him with it, but then took the knife away when she used it to cut her legs free.

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After that, the victim told police the assaults continued and included Sorenson striking her in the head with closed fists hard enough that she briefly lost consciousness. She also alleged that Sorenson punched her ribs, shoved a finger into her eye, and strangled her to the point that she was gasping for air while he threatened to sexually mutilate her.

Sorenson is also accused of sexually assaulting the woman while her legs were tied and he was on top of her.

Police Found Physical Evidence Corroborating Allegations

According to the charges, investigators observed multiple visible injuries on different parts of the victim's body, including red marks, abrasions, and bruises. Investigators also reported that they searched the residence where the alleged assaults occurred and found a black rope in the master bedroom, brown twine under the foot of the bed, and a red rope attached to the bed frame.

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website. Resource information is provided for free as well as a chat message service. To speak directly to a professional, call 988. You are not alone and help is available. Every life is important.

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Gallery Credit: Troy Dunken