MOORHEAD (trfnews.i234.me) — A Moorhead man is facing four felony criminal sexual conduct charges in Clay County after prosecutors accused him of sexually assaulting an 18-year-old woman at his apartment last fall.
Ricardo Mendoza-Bandera, 38, was charged March 12 in Clay County District Court. Court records show he faces first, second, third, and fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct charges.
What the complaint says
According to the criminal complaint, the alleged assault happened during the early morning hours of Sept. 19, 2025. The woman had gone to an apartment in Moorhead after a mutual acquaintance picked her up. Court documents say the group drank alcohol that night.
Prosecutors say the woman became heavily intoxicated. The complaint says she was later left alone with Mendoza-Bandera in the living room. Court records state she repeatedly told him no and tried to get away.
Prosecutors allege Mendoza-Bandera sexually assaulted her despite that resistance. The complaint says he penetrated the woman.
Court documents say the woman left the apartment at about 3:45 a.m. She then called family members for help. Her father called emergency services, according to the complaint.
The woman was taken to a hospital for a sexual assault exam. A Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner kit was collected. Court records say the exam also noted a physical injury.
According to the complaint, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension later tested evidence collected during the exam. Prosecutors say lab results matched Mendoza-Bandera’s DNA to samples taken from the woman.
Investigators later interviewed Mendoza-Bandera, according to the complaint. Court records say he admitted the woman was at his apartment. He denied any sexual contact.
The most serious charge is first-degree criminal sexual conduct. Minnesota law lists criminal sexual conduct offenses under Chapter 609 of state statutes.
A separate drug case is also pending
Mendoza-Bandera is also due in court on a separate felony drug charge. Authorities say deputies arrested him on March 20 on an outstanding warrant.
That complaint alleges deputies found about one gram of methamphetamine during a search. He is being held pending further proceedings in both cases. Readers can track public case updates through Minnesota Court Records Online.
The charges in both cases are allegations. A conviction can happen only after a plea or a verdict in court.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.