Minneapolis man faces sexual assault charges against girlfriend

A Minneapolis man has been charged in two separate cases in which he sexually assaulted his girlfriend, one of which occurred in Powderhorn Park, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced Wednesday.

Jonathan Taylor, 40, has been charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct for a May 22 incident, and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct for events that took place June 27. His next scheduled court appearance for both charges is August 10 at 10:30 a.m.

According to the criminal complaints, on May 22, around 12:20 p.m., Brooklyn Center police responded to a domestic incident at a Super 8 Motel in Brooklyn Center where they met Taylor’s girlfriend, the 31-year-old victim, outside.

She informed police that she was assaulted earlier in the day, at approximately 3:30 a.m. She and Taylor were in the hotel room when he became angry, thinking she was hiding heroin from him. While the victim was in the bathroom, Taylor searched the victim for drugs and proceeded to sexually assault her, the complaint states.

When Taylor left the bathroom, the victim waited and eventually crawled out and fell asleep on the bed. Shortly after, Taylor woke the victim up and began arguing with her. She attempted to leave, but Taylor prevented her from doing so. Taylor then began choking the victim for 30 seconds before releasing her from his grip, where she then fell to the ground, the complaint continues. The victim sustained various injuries due to the assault.

On June 27, the criminal complaint states that Minneapolis Police responded to an area near Powderhorn Park, where they spoke with Taylor’s girlfriend, the same victim from the May 22 incident.

She told police she was sleeping alone in her tent when she was awakened by someone groping her. When she faced her assailant, she recognized Taylor and also noticed he had her knife, which he was pointing at her.

The victim screamed and fled the tent. Taylor was found a short distance from the area with the victim’s knife in his pocket, the complaint says.

Taylor criminal complaint – May 22 (PDF)

Taylor criminal complaint – June 27 (PDF)